Aviation Special

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 1 Vol. XXXIIssue23;December1 TravTalkIndia.comTalkIndia.com st fortnighti ssue 2019 A DDPPUBLICATION Aviation Special

ddppl.com Pages : 44 Pages :44 12/2/2019 2:50:10 PM ` 20/- FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 2 12/2/2019 2:50:12 PM Vol. XXXI Issue 23; December 1st fortnight i ssue 2019 A DDP PUBLICATION Pages : 44 ` 20/- com TalkIndia. TravTalkIndia.com ddppl.com

Unaffected by divestment While news is ripe that Air India will soon be divested, the announcement has not affected the airline’s performance, claims Ashwani Lohani, Chairman & MD, Air India.

Nisha Verma Mumbai-Nairobi to our network increased the flying hours of all as well,” he shares. The national Under ‘Ghoomo India’, if one is travelling these aircraft by about two to ir India has begun operating carrier has started many new to a tourist place with a group or family of at three hours to be able to man- Aon a total of nine interna- domestic flights as well, which age the new operations.” tional routes in FY 2019-20, include Mumbai-Dehradun- least three, we will give a 25% discount informs Ashwani Lohani. Banaras, Amritsar-Patna, as When asked about the advan- “We have started Delhi-Dubai, well as Mumbai-Patna. started. Lohani adds, “The high- the financial crunch and other tage Air India has got owing Mumbai-Dubai, Indore-Dubai, light is that we have completed issues that the airline is facing. to Jet Airways closing down, Kolkata-Dubai, Amritsar- While these are all Air India all this expansion without any We have around 125 aircraft for Lohani says, “When any player Toronto, Amritsar-Delhi-Toronto, flights, a number of domestic addition of new aircraft and Air India while only 169 aircraft is out of the market, the market Chennai-Jaffna (Alliance Air), operations, especially under the by using the existing fleet and in the entire Air India network share increases and is fulfilled Ashwani Lohani and Amritsar-Stansted. On UDAN scheme of Ministry of staff to its maximum capacity. (which includes Alliance Air by others. Not only Air India, Chairman and Managing Director Air India November 27, 2019, we added Civil Aviation, have also been We were able to do this despite and Air India Express). We have Contd on page 8 AI enjoys exclusivity on Travelport Indian ﬂag carrier Air India has not only registered 22 per cent growth in operational proﬁt this year, it has even saved `300 crore by being exclusive on Travelport.

TT Bureau will cater to the Ahmedabad they will stick to the 4-times a agents get a special fare.” lutely feasible. We have seen market as well. “For the week schedule. For the travel Last year, Travelport a growth of 22 per cent and ir India has started its Mumbai-Nairobi connec- trade, Air India has Productivity bagged the contract for we have cut down the cost by Alatest international tion, the main market is from Linked Bonus (PLB), informs Air India’s ticket distribution, around `300 crore this year. connection: Mumbai-Nairobi. Ahmedabad, while passengers Malik, saying, “We are giving replacing Amadeus. Speaking We have projected a saving of Meenakshi Malik, Executive would also come from Delhi commissions and PLBs, apart on the feasibility of the move, `3200 crore in five years. It’s Meenakshi Malik Director (Commercial), Air and Chennai,” she says. On from special group fares for Malik says, “Exclusivity with already been a year and we Executive Director (Commercial) India, says that the new flight the recent Delhi-Seoul flight, agents. For M!CE groups, one GDS system is abso- are doing fine.” Air India

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 3 12/2/2019 2:50:13 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 4 12/2/2019 2:50:15 PM BULLETIN Jyoti Mayal is TAAI Prez After much anticipation, the results for TAAI elections are out! Jyoti Mayal from New Airways Travels (Delhi) has been elected as the new President of the association for the term 2019-21.

Hazel Jain

yoti Mayal has been elected Jas the President of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) for the term 2019- 21. This was announced on November 28, 2019, at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai after TAAI’s 68th Annual General Meeting followed by the elections of the office bearers and unopposed, Bettaiah Lokesh ministries and we are hopeful for this term. I wish the new members of the Managing from Triway Travels is the that we will achieve our targets. president all the very best. We Committee for the term 2019 Honorary Secretary General. There is also another thing that must try and take TAAI forward, – 2021. While Jay Bhatia, Tul- Shreeram Patel of Unicorn is very close to my heart and and more importantly, take our sidas Khimji Holidays, has been Travels has been elected to the that is empowering women. members forward.” elected as the Vice President post of National Treasurer. Women are multi-taskers and we would like more women in Bhatia, the newly-elected Vice The seven members elected as Mayal, sharing her agenda for the industry to be our members President, said, “Our goals are the Managing Committee are: TAAI as President, said, “My so that we, as an association, to empower members through Anoop B Kanuga most important agenda is that can achieve a lot.” continuous education, create a - Bathija Travels we should have a very strong better and direct connect with Devesh Kumar Agarwal say with the government and Sunil Kumar, outgoing Presi- statutory authorities, resolve - Victoria Travels the airlines. That can only hap- dent, said, “I have served as issues with our principals, edu- P Murugesan - Pioneer Aero Travels pen when we are recognised as the president of TAAI for three cate and hand-hold all of you Paras Lakhia an industry. We will be able to terms and it was something towards the changing scenario - Utopia Travel Services achieve this only when we have that has never happened of NDC, OnePass, RHC, etc., R Venkatachalam: the government on our side. before. When I saw new people enhance member trading power - Naveen Air Travels Taxes, like GST and TCS, are wanting to come and take through Joint Bank Guarantee, Rajan Sehgal - Airborne Travels also relevant and we are suf- over the TAAI leadership, I felt re-create fair trading practices, Sunil Notani fering because of that. We are I should make way for them and enhance the value of being - Air Aman Travels already in negotiations with the and that’s why I did not contest a TAAI member.”

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 5 12/2/2019 2:50:17 PM f TRAVTALK brings to you news years and events that made headlines 25 years ago with relevance even today. From the archives, we present VIEWPOINT the December 1st 1994 issue: Takeaways from travel marts

t the end of very year, ask any travel agent about Atheir plans for the next year and they will gladly fish out a list of travel marts that they would be attending. As a platform, these marts, both domestic and international, are important for agents and state tourism boards to mark their presence and showcase their strengths. Events like these allow them to meet their existing clients to strengthen old ties as well as forge new bonds. Tourism stakeholders from all over the world visit these marts to conduct one-on-one meetings with their partners and explore business opportunities Then (1994) Now (2019) with future partners. It’s a melting pot for shar- From the Archive ing ideas and business strategies. There may not Bhagwan Kanuga, Director, Bathija Travels was elected as the Hony. Secretary of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in 1994. A well- be much straightforward ROI coming from these known name in the industry, Kanuga has been active in TAAI for many events, but they give participants some qualitative years and was also Vice President- Finance at UFTAA. He was a member leads. It helps them in terms of just being at the right of PATA India Chapter as well and was its Treasurer for more than 10 years. Bhagwan Kanuga His son, Anoop B Kanuga, is taking his legacy forward and has recently Bhagwan Kanuga place at the right time so that people can come speak Hony. Secretary General been elected as a Managing Committee member of TAAI. Managing Director TAAI Bathija Travels to them and then take it forward with emails. It’s also about building relationships. For many, it’s a way of securing new products that they need for greater visibility, while some consider it an opportunity to liaise with state tourist boards in MOT keeps busy with schemes terms of driving campaigns and learning more about destinations so that they can educate their custom- MOT's Incredible India Tourism Facilitator Certiﬁcation (IITFC) will launch ers. And with everything moving online, it’s a great in the ﬁrst week of January 2020, and registration for the same would platform to see innovations in the marketplace. begin from the last week of December. But then of course, planning and preparation are very important to ensure good outcome at these marts. Nisha Verma response and suggestions Talking about the Incredible Coming with prior appointments enables partici- were made, which were taken India website, she informed, pants to make sure that they plan their time well and eenakshi Sharma, positively,” she said. “The website is already in meetings take place as per the time mentioned. MDirector General, Tourism, English and Hindi. We are go- Government of India, recently Sharma revealed that the ing to translate it into multiple With the next few months being crammed with travel addressed PATA India Chapter Incredible India Tourism foreign languages – Chinese, marts that are within a few weeks of each other, are members at their eighth Facilitator Certification Arabic, German and French. we equipped with prior appointments at these marts? Outlook & Update Meeting, (IITFC) programme will finally We are also going to expand a where she shared details of be launched in the first week lot of content through Are we engaging with enough specialists to help us the initiatives taken by MOT. of January 2020. She said, user-generated content. understand the market better and work out the details Calling it a much-needed “The Tourism Facilitator There is a lot of emphasis Meenakshi Sharma so that we can get more tourists to the country? What event, Sharma said that they scheme came up last year as on social media. We will DG, Tourism - Government of India have a partnership with the a thought process and had collaborate with state are our takeaways from participation at these marts? industry and through this the approval of the authorities. governments and other nies. “We keep working with Have we come back from these marts understand- meeting, the ministry could We are ready to launch the partners who can create various partners. As and when ing the new trends, markets, demand forecast, and update them, take their sug- scheme and hopefully by content for us.” Regarding the process is complete, the gestions, and move forward. first week of January it Adopt a Heritage scheme, she decision is taken for giving new technologies in the tourism industry? Do we put “With this meeting, we could will be out. Registrations said that it is ongoing, and the mandate for the upkeep of in place all that we have set in motion at these marts create a dialogue between would begin in last week they keep receiving letters of the respective monuments,” and thus derive value from our participation? us. We got a heart-warming of December 2019.” intent from various compa- Sharma shared.

Vikramajit Editorial Advertising Advertising (Mumbai) MUMBAI: Devika Jeet Suchita Saran TRAVTALK is a publication of DDP Publications Private Limited. information contained in this publication which is provided The publisher assumes no responsibility for returning any 504, Marine Chambers, 43, New Marine Lines, Chairman Nisha Verma Nikhil Jeet Branch Manager All information in TRAVTALK is derived from sources, which we for general use, and may not be appropriate for the read- material solicited or unsolicited nor is he responsible for Hazel Jain Director Opp. SNDT College, Mumbai - 400 020, India, Manas Dwivedi Harshal Ashar consider reliable and a sincere effort is made to report ac- ers’ particular circumstances. Contents of this publication material lost or damaged. Ph.: +91-22-22070129; 22070130 SanJeet Arumita Gupta General Manager Senior Manager curate information. It is passed on to our readers without are copyright. No part of TRAVTALK or any part of the contents Editor & Publisher Smitha Kulshreshth Priyanshu Wankhade any responsibility on our part. The publisher regret that he thereof may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system This publication is not meant to be an endorsement of any MIDDLE EAST: Desk Editor Jatin Sahni Manager Advertising Durga Das Publications Middle East (FZE) Senior Manager cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in or transmitted in any form without the permission of the VSHFLÀFSURGXFWRUVHUYLFHVRIIHUHG7KHSXEOLVKHUUHVHUYHV Susan Eapen Z1-02, PO Box: 9348, Saif Zone, Sharjah, UAE Peden Doma Bhutia Tripti Mehta Gaganpreet Kaur Sr. executive – Sales & marketing this publication, however caused. Similarly, opinions/views publication in writing. The same rule applies when there the right to refuse, withdraw, amend or otherwise deal with Asst. Editor Manager Ph.:+971-6-5528954, Fax: +971-6-5528956 Managing Editor Vikas Mandotia / Nitin Kumar expressed by third parties in abstract and/or in interviews is a copyright or the article is taken from another publica- all advertisements without explanation. Advertisement Designers are not necessarily shared by TRAVTALK. However, we wish to tion. An exemption is hereby granted for the extracts used TRAVTALK is printed, published and edited by SanJeet on behalf advice our readers that one or more recognised authorities for the purpose of fair review, provided two copies of the All advertisements must comply with the Indian and Inter- of DDP Publications Pvt. Ltd., printed at Modest Print Pack Pvt. Design: Nityanand Misra Ltd., C-52, DDA Sheds Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Sudhir Mudgal may hold different views than those reported. Material used same publication are sent to us for our records. Publications national Advertisements Code. The publisher will not be Delhi-110020 and published at 72, Todarmal Road, in this publication is intended for information purpose only. reproducing material either in part or in whole, without per- liable for any damage or loss caused by delayed publication, Production: Anil Kharbanda New Delhi - 110 001 error or failure of an advertisement to appear. CIN: U22210DL2012PTC230432 Circulation: Ashok Rana 5HDGHUVDUHDGYLVHGWRVHHNVSHFLÀFDGYLFHEHIRUHDFWLQJRQ mission could face legal action. Ph.:+91-11-23234177

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 6 12/2/2019 2:50:20 PM AVIATION DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 7 India to be 3rd largest market Virgin Atlantic has relaunched a daily direct ﬂight between Mumbai and London, and will add a second daily service from Delhi in March 2020. This would make India its third largest market.

Nisha Verma We are confident that our new service strated by the huge amount of excitement we received after irgin Atlantic relaunched will be a big hit with corporate customers, announcing our expansion in Vits daily direct operations India. We are confident that between Mumbai and London providing them with a choice of timings our new service will be a big Heathrow on October 28, hit with corporate customers, 2019, complemented further our key pillars at Virgin Atlantic strong relationships with the providing them a choice of by a new second daily service is ‘Best in Partnering’, and our travel trade were demon- timings,” he shared. to Delhi, which will start on March 29, 2020. With the additional daily flight to Delhi and the newly-launched Mumbai service, Virgin Atlantic will offer more choice to India than ever before.

Commenting on the same, Alex McEwan, Country Manager India, Virgin Atlantic, said, “Across our entire network, our ambition is to be the most loved travel company, and India is no exception. We are excited to offer unrivalled service across three daily

Alex McEwan Country Manager India Virgin Atlantic

flights to India, providing customers with even more choice when flying to London and beyond to USA.”

Claiming that India’s aviation market is projected to become the third largest in the world in the next 10 years, he added, “At Virgin Atlantic, we are also in a period of growth and are ambitiously staking a claim as UK’s second flag carrier. In this vein, it is essential that we have a strong presence in the most important markets in the world, which India is absolutely a part of. With a second service to Delhi and our new Mumbai service, India will be the third largest market for Virgin Atlantic, underlining its importance to us as an airline.”

McEwan shared that they are working closely with the travel trade and receive incredible support from them. “One of

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 7 12/2/2019 2:50:21 PM 8 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AVIATION Domestic carriers grow New routes, not aircraft Recently-released data on domestic carriers indicates that the Contd from page 3 Indian aviation sector is on recovery mode, primarily due to other airlines have also fulfilled the commencement of the tourist season. these slots. By improving our service quality, we have been Passengers carried by domestic airlines during able to increase our occu- January-October, 2019 were 1182.06 lakh as against pancy by around four per cent.” 1146.37 lakh during the corresponding period in the Despite other private airlines previous year, thereby registering an annual growth announcing new aircraft orders, of 3.11 per cent and a monthly growth of 3.98 per codeshares and routes, Lohani cent, reveals the recently-released data for domestic insists that none can match the airlines by Directorate General of Civil Aviation network and service of Air India (DGCA). Domestic air traffic last month consisted of in the Indian market. “Air India 12.31 million passengers compared to 11.84 million is a full-service carrier, and the passengers in the same month last year, a jump of only one in India to offer long- from small cities in India to international destinations, claims 3.98 per cent, the data showed. haul and ultra-long-haul non- ternational destinations and vice Lohani. “This means that we The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) of all major stop connections to Europe, versa. A half-hour to one-hour are connecting India to the airlines—Air India, SpiceJet, GoAir, IndiGo, AirAsia America and even Australia. delay in any long-haul flight can world. We have launched Passenger Load Factor and Vistara— declined in October as compared to This is our USP,” he says. lead to delay in the connecting ‘Ghoomo India’ scheme, The passenger load factor of various scheduled domestic airlines in Oct 2019 is as follows: September this year, according to DGCA data. flight as well. We don’t just fly which is based on the Prime Commenting on the current point-to-point like other airlines, Minister’s call from the Red scenario of Air India, Lohani but offer further connections Fort on Independence Day for says that while the morale is into India and internationally.” all Indians to visit new places in down because of the disinvest- He adds that while they are India. Hence, we are trying to ment process, the airline is able not ordering any more aircraft fulfil this dream through this to perform well. “Owing to the to add more connections, scheme, under which if one is Pakistan air space problem, we they have a mandate to run travelling to a tourist place with lost around `400 crore. Despite the airline and to do that, they a group or family of at least all these problems, we have are using all their resources in three, we will give a 25 per managed to perform well,” he an optimum way. cent discount. Apart from shares. Talking about delays that, there is ‘Namaste India’ and other complaints that come Air India plays an important scheme to facilitate passengers for Air India, Lohani says, “We role in promoting tourism who are travelling from work on a hub-and-spoke by connecting more than 72 international destinations to

Source: DGCA model and carry passengers destinations in India and 42 in- India,” he informs..

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 8 12/2/2019 2:50:23 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 9 12/2/2019 2:50:25 PM 10 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AVIATION LATAM puts forth new offerings 21-room WelcomHeritage LATAM Airlines recently organised workshops in Mumbai and Delhi to showcase its renovated Inderpura Resort opens in Rajasthan product line and update the travel trade in both the cities about its offerings. The group has introduced the LATAM+ class in its economy offerings, with increased space and greater recline. Kerala Travel Mart 2020 to be held from TT Bureau September 23-27 ATAM Airlines’ recent India now offers Lworkshops in Mumbai and visa-on-arrival for Delhi updated the trade on latest happenings. While the UAE nationals Consulate General of Argentina and PROMPERU India par- New Delhi metro ticipated in the LATAM Airlines station starts check-in workshop in Mumbai, in Delhi, it was PROMPERU India and Pablo Chiozza facility for AirAsia Senior Vice President US, Asia, Canada & Embassy of Chile who made Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group India their respective presentations for the trade. Pablo Chiozza, Milan and from there, we offer want to showcase all the LATAM has refurbished its Suman Billa to Senior Vice President US, ket and how we are promoting connection to Sao Paulo. In different things that Indians product offerings and has join UNWTO as Asia, Canada & Caribbean, our South American region in addition to that, we have com- can see in South America, and launched LATAM+ class in LATAM Airlines Group, met with India. We have recorded a 10 petitive packages whenever one then from there start educating its economy offerings with Director, Technical the agents from both cities. per cent compounded growth in wants to move around in the the trade to keep on building increased space, greater Cooperation & Silk Speaking about the Indian the last two years.” region and visit other places in packages to get more Indian recline, and dedicated overhead Road Development market, he said, “We’ve been South America,” said Chiozza. passengers to the region. bins. The airline has also working in the Indian market for He added that there is a lot of We are working closely renovated its Business Class a decade and the numbers have traffic from India to destinations He added that their partnership with tourism boards of Peru, and normal Economy Class Chandigarh to have increased during the last 10 like Brazil, Peru and southern with DELTA would result in a Chile, Brazil, and Argentina for enhancing the customer only one international years. In the last three years, Argentina, and that Indian codeshare, which would to keep on increasing experience. “We are launching flight this winter we have seen growth, and we passengers can fly from Europe certainly strengthen the awareness about the region LATAM+ seats, and we are are comfortable and happy with to South America. “In India, we connectivity between North to stimulate Indian passengers happy with the offerings on what we are doing in this mar- are partnering with Air India for and Latin America. “We to travel,” he claimed. board,” Chiozza said.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 10 12/2/2019 2:50:27 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 11 12/2/2019 2:50:29 PM 12 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AVIATION Blockchain ticket on Hahn Organic growth for IGAT Hahn Air has become the ﬁrst airline to issue a real-world InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) is seeing organic growth for ticket enabled by blockchain technology on the open-source all the airlines they represent, and they might be signing up to travel distribution platform Winding Tree. represent travel companies and DMCs in the near future.

TT Bureau Nisha Verma ahn Air is also the first air- nterGlobe Air Transport has of work that goes in business Hline to fly passengers hold- Ia decent share of the airline development as well.” ing blockchain-powered tickets industry. Sunil Talreja, on its scheduled flight from Vice President - Sales, IGAT, IGAT also started represent- Dusseldorf to Luxemburg on shares, “We represent 12 ing cars in India. “We started November 18, 2019. The first international air carriers in representing Hertz Car Rentals, blockchain passengers were India and our partnerships are which was a year back. It’s Maksim Izmaylov, Founder very strong. There has been been a fantastic story as self- of Winding Tree; Davide organic growth throughout. drives are getting popular by the Montali, CIO of Winding Tree; We represent DELTA Air Lines day and the trend is catching and Frederick Nowotny, Head in India and it’s going to fly to Sunil Talreja on,” he shared. Vice President - Sales of Sales Engineering at Hahn Mumbai from December 22. InterGlobe Air Transport Air. On Winding Tree platform, Virgin Atlantic has recently Talreja expressed that they have Hahn Air could list its inven- are pleased to be partnering rency bitcoin, it bears a desire to represent DMCs tory, manage the reservation with Winding Tree, the most great potential for all industries We represent 12 international air and travel companies in future. requests, and receive payments established company when and endless applications. “We are looking at representing once the booking process is it comes to distributing travel It will have an enormous carriers in India. There are plenty of some DMCs. We are open complete. The platform can ac- inventory in the blockchain. impact on all areas of economy players who want to fly to India, and to looking at some other cept payments through various Our goal is to investigate and and commerce over the next businesses, which are related methods, including cash, credit monitor the opportunities this decades. We believe that we keep engaging with them to travel, because we know card, or cryptocurrency. technology holds for travel blockchain will have the the customers in India who distribution, even if widespread power, like NDC, to fundamen- started flights to Mumbai as pitching for new carriers, as want to travel, and we have “We at Hahn Air are constantly acceptance is still a vision of tally change the face of travel well. We also represent All this is an industry where we corporate as well as agency exploring new technologies the future,” said Nowotny. distribution. With an innovative Nippon Airways in South India. need to keep looking out for contacts. Hence, some growth and we are proud to now mindset and an unparalleled We have been representing opportunities. There are plenty will come mainly using inner demonstrate our technical “While blockchain technology network, Hahn Air is the Malaysia Airlines for the last of players who want to fly to synergies and our contacts in capability to issue blockchain- is currently almost exclusively ideal partner for us,” eight months. This means that India, and we keep engaging India, which should work well,” powered Hahn Air tickets. We associated with the cryptocur- shared Izmaylov. things are moving. We keep with them. Hence, there is a lot he added.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 12 12/2/2019 2:50:30 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 13 12/2/2019 2:50:32 PM 14 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AVIATION More Tier-II & III with Lufthansa This European carrier is connecting the aspiring international traveller from Tier-II and Tier-III cities of India to its larger global network through codeshare agreements with Indian airlines such as Air India and Vistara. George Ettiyil, Senior Director, Sales (South Asia), Lufthansa Group Airlines, shares more.

Hazel Jain cent. Emerging markets across Group and partner network. past couple of years. More with offices in Europe and India are registering an expo- The new flight will be operated encouragingly, the appetite for Asia ensures that all Lufthansa How has Lufthansa nential increase in consumer by A350-900 – the newest premium travel experiences Group airlines remain at the Q performed in India in appetite for unique, premium addition to our international amongst Indian consumers – helm of latest digitization terms of commercial ops travel experiences. Lufthansa fleet – and will be operated five even those hailing from Tier-II trends. AI is a critical driver of between 2017 and 2019? is well-poised to capitalise on times a week. and III markets – has increased the technological renaissance Lufthansa’s business perform- this trend through codeshare as they are no longer seeking that we are spearheading. ance in India has grown agreements with leading Indian Any new routes that simple trips and holidays. For instance, Lufthansa is steadily over the last few years. airlines such as Vistara and Air Q would interest the This evolution is reflected in amongst the world’s first We registered a robust year-on- India. These partnerships en- India market? George Ettiyil the industry numbers. Indians airlines to introduce self- year growth of over 12 per cent able us to connect the aspiring We continue to evaluate Senior Director, Sales (South Asia) spent more than US$94 billion service rebooking through the so far in 2019 alone. As part of international traveller from Tier- opportunities to expand our Lufthansa Group Airlines on travel in 2018, with over Facebook Messenger App. the larger Lufthansa Group, we II and Tier-III cities to our larger operations in more cities US$22 billion spent on interna- This feature allows customers are the biggest European airline global network. For instance, across India, whether through loyalty programme and will tional travel. With the number of to seamlessly choose from group catering to the needs we have recently announced owned aircraft or further code- introduce greater transparency international travellers expected alternate flight options in case of the Indian market with 56 a new flight on the Bengaluru- sharing agreements with other in points allocation. Through to increase to 50 million by of a flight irregularity. weekly flights and soon grow- Munich route effective April 1, airlines. We also consistently this, we are personalising 2020, these numbers will ing to 61 flights per week. 2020, and will serve to bring invest in the modernisation of rewards and simplifying the only grow further. This repre- We are looking at other the region of Munich – along our fleet to ensure fuel-efficient points accumulation process. sents an even more lucrative functions and channels, What's the passenger with the German and Austrian and environment-friendly op- business opportunity. such as WhatsApp, that we Q load factor you are Alps – closer to South India. erations. In keeping with this, How do you see can use to add more value seeing from them? This also unlocks access to we will revamp our Miles & Q the dynamics of the How has LH to this offering. We have In India, we register a demand Europe’s only five-star airport More program from January 1, Indian aviation market Q incorporated AI and also launched ‘Pepper’ in from all four gateways. The for Indian travellers and will 2021. This new iteration of our play out in the future? how will it reflect in the Munich, an AI-powered seat load factor on all our India enable more seamless transits loyalty programme is designed The Indian travel market has service that it provides? humanoid robot that helps flights is well above 90 per to any point on the Lufthansa to be the simplest-ever airline grown substantially over the The Lufthansa Innovation Hub customers at the terminal.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 14 12/2/2019 2:50:33 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 15 12/2/2019 2:50:37 PM 16 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 ASSOCIATION New interface in 2020 2nd Tourism PowerHouse in Dec RezLive.com, the global B2B reservation provider, will soon revamp its travel portal to PATA India Tourism PowerHouse will be held on December 6 at The Park, New make it more user-friendly. Delhi. The theme this year is ‘India Tourism – The Big Leap Forward’. Imminent speakers from the industry have been invited to take the stage at the event. TT Bureau Vice Chairman, PATA India will be speaking about Indo- TT Bureau his year at WTM, RezLive. Chapter, said, “Tourism China tourism and how we Tcom came with the objec- he focus of PATA India PowerHouse will be immensely can get a lot of tourists from tive of meeting clients as well TTourism PowerHouse, beneficial for participants China. At the same time, as suppliers, both old and presented by Inder Sharma because there will be a lot we have Sara Mathews new. Anand Srinivasan, CCO, Foundation (ISF), is to ignite of learning for them. The from TripAdvisor, who will RezLive.com, says that it was the minds of the leadership trade is changing, the way government about initiatives be speaking on the impact of a fantastic event for them. of the tourism industry and to we work is changing, social being taken. This time, social media on tourism.” “It’s one place where you can fully tap the immense potential media and online business are Meenakshi Sharma, Director meet everybody together. If of Incredible India, in line with also impacting the trade.” General – Toursim, Govern- Claiming that Tourism we try and meet everybody global best practices. Speaking ment of India, updated PowerHouse has become individually, the cost incurred at the eighth Outlook & Update PATA India Chapter hosts the attendees on the Incredible an established institution in will be more. World Travel meeting with Ministry of Tour- Outlook & Update meeting India Tourist Facilitator the industry, Vikram Madhok, Market is a good opportunity Anand Srinivasan ism (MOT), Jatinder Taneja, with MOT to know from the Certification, the new Incred- Honorary Secretary, PATA for building your brand and Chief Commercial Officer ible India website, and the India Chapter, said, “Among for us, visibility at this global RezLive.com List of speakers ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme. the several topics being event has been exceptional. deliberated on, CAPA will be Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary Tourism and Chairman, PATA India Chapter Overall, the kind of footfall for a complete revamp of our Delving further on Tourism giving a presentation on the travel market receives is portal. It’s going to become Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA PowerHouse, Taneja said, what is happening on the great, and I would say that peppy and more user friendly, John Koldowski, Professor, School of Tourism, Leshan Normal University “We have flown in a lot of airline front and there will attending WTM has been and clients are going to love Sarah Mathews, Group Head of Destination Marketing APAC, TripAdvisor international speakers who be a general update on successful for us.” it. I will share more details just Damian Cook, Founder and CEO, E-tourism Frontiers will be educating us on global international travel trends.” before the launch,” he says. trends in tourism. Mario Greg Klassen, Principal, Twenty31 Consulting Speaking of initiatives at the RezLive.com enjoys over 20 Hardy (CEO, PATA) will also Runeep Sangha, Secy. Gen- company, he adds that there years of legacy in India, which Prof. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, Founder and CEO, COTRI be attending. Professor eral, PATA India Chapter, added will be something fantastic has helped it understand the Kapil Kaul, CEO and Director, CAPA South Asia Wolfgang Georg Arlt from that Tourism PowerHouse is a coming up in January 2020. market very well and spread Sam McGoun, CEO, Impact Tourism China Outbound Tourism product they want to take from “We do have big plans for the business in Tier-I, II, Parishmita Gogoi, Student, Travel & Tourism Management, Amity Univ. Research Institute (COTRI) strength to strength. the new year. We are going in and III cities.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 16 12/2/2019 2:50:38 PM AVIATION DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 17 Boeing buoyant on India The Boeing Company is optimistic about India's aviation market and hopes to play a major role in its growth story, says Darren Hulst, Senior MD, Market Analysis & Sales Support, Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company.

Hazel Jain have already been added in the the most effective single-aisle abound for Indian airlines as However, foreign carriers are last 10 years, indicating that aircraft. Speaking of wide-body they hold almost one-third of catering to most of this traffic ndia is the most dynamic low-cost carriers have grown aircraft in India, approximately the market share today. Indian today,” he said. Boeing’s client Imarket for civil aviation six-fold in terms of flights in 30 international city pairs in carriers can grow their inter- list from India includes Air commercially right now the last decade.” He also said the past year have been added national market share as well, India, Vistara, SpiceJet and for us, says Darren Hulst. that the 737 Max will be the into the India market, either by particularly on the India-Europe Jet Airways, as all contractual Darren Hulst Senior MD, Market Analysis & Sales He was in India recently safest aircraft to fly, particularly an Indian or an international routes, which have already agreements with Jet Airways Support, Commercial, Boeing on a flying visit to share the 737 Max 10, which will be airline. “Future opportunities seen a lot of growth. remain in place. details of the company's annual India Commercial Market Outlook.

“The market has moved eastward and Asia Pacific has become the centre of growth. In India, more people have entered the middle class, which is a key element of growth There will be 37% growth in terms of new airports across India; the single aisle market will dominate traffic

and demand. In fact, we feel that India is the fastest growing aviation market,” he shared.

According to the annual report, India will need 2,380 new airplanes in the next 20 years. India’s fleet is expected to quadruple in size, indicating a high growth potential vis-à-vis other markets. Of this, 80 per cent will be new and the rest will be replacing old aircraft. This will lead to a demand of nearly 40,000 pilots and 43,000 cabin crew.

Sharing his views on key trends, Hulst added, “There will be 37 per cent growth in terms of new airports across India. The single-aisle market will be a dominant element of traffic in India. Around 8,000 city-pairs

Boeing marked a key milestone as it launched the 737 MAX 10, the largest variant of the MAX family. The aircraft can seat up to 230 passengers and offers the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 17 12/2/2019 2:50:40 PM 18 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TECHNOLOGY Technology helps 'Innowayt' With a vision to create a platform that promotes both knowledge sharing and networking, the Thought Leadership Meet united associations, trade and technology partners to deliberate on ways to grow business.

Manas Dwivedi discussed the current Delivering the ice-breaker keynote presentation by scenario of the industry, session, Vikas Khanduri, Aashish Gupta, CEO, FAITH, iscussing ways and ways to tackle them and Co-Founder, Innowayt, who spoke on Travel Technol- Dmeans to grow their prosper. With different pres- talked about the current ogy, Vision 2025. Ashish travel business, the leader- entations, panel discussions challenges faced by the Kumar, Co-chairman, FICCI (L-R) Narayan Mallapur, CEO & Co Founder and Vikas Khanduri, Co-Founder, Innowayt ship meet brought together and motivational talks, the industry and the way Travel Technology Committee, representatives of TAAI, TAFI, meet saw in attendance more forward to not only survive gave some very interesting industry in the last decade and The panel discussion themed ADTOI, OTOAI and ICPB on than 70 thought leaders but to scale by way of technol- insights through his talk on how the travel fraternity lost or ‘Riding the next wave of one platform, where they from the industry. ogy. This was followed by the digital transformation in the gained opportunities. disruption in travel -- Will your business be next?’ included panellists Mahendra Vakharia, President, OTOAI; PP Khanna, President, ADTOI; Ashwani Sharma, Chapter Chairman, TAFI-North; Madhu Dubey, Executive Director, ICPB; and Sankalp Agarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, Travel Triangle, who put forward their views and ideas on the topic and later answered questions.

Ankush Nijhawan, Co-founder & CEO, TBO Group, gave an engaging presentation on ‘A Billion Dollar Question: 20 Years -- What have we learnt and where are we headed?’ which was well received by the audience.

Later, Khanduri gave a talk on the importance of CRM and presented a grand offer by Innowayt for travel trade associations, after which Narayan Mallapur, CEO & Co-Founder, Innowayt, spoke about the thought behind Innowayt and how it can help the travel business.

Sunil Kumar, former president, TAAI, gave a motivational talk on ‘Re-engineering relevance, Sustaining level’. Prashant Pitti, CEO, EaseMyTrip, talked about – ‘Will offline and OTAs co-exist in the future?’

Anil Bhandari, Chairman, AB Smart Placement and a well- known name in the travel and hospitality industry, opened the event, while Yogesh Srivastav, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, summed it up.

Founded by Narayan Mallapur, CEO & Co Founder and Vikas Khanduri, Co-Founder, Innowayt has acquired over 800 customers across 38 countries and has over 5,000 daily active users. It has one of the most advanced yet affordable Travel CRM.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 18 12/2/2019 2:50:41 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 19 12/2/2019 2:50:44 PM 20 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 ASSOCIATION Prioritising Buddhist tourism The second edition of the International Buddhist Travel Mart and ABTO Convention will be organised in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, from December 10-12, with an aim to promote India as a Buddhist tourism destination. The mart will be an opportunity for participants to meet with international guests.

odh Gaya in Bihar is The event, supported by board as international Buddha’ and know more about to the winner, along with a Bidentified as the 'Land Ministry of Tourism (MOT), cooperative partners. Lord Buddha. ABTO was earlier memento and certificate. of Buddha' and a preferred Government of India, has represented in seven countries, They will also launch their travel destination for Buddhist received support from the Sharing more details about but has now increased its grasp magazine, ‘Touch 2 The World’ pilgrimages across the globe. In travel fraternity around the theaim, idea and objectives in 16 countries.” (Tourism with Buddhism a bid to promote and increase world, with Lumbini Develop- of the convention, Kaulesh worldwide Magazine). The awareness about Buddhist tour- ment Trust, Nepal Association Kumar, Secretary General, Kumar further said that this team is also organising Peace ism destinations in India, the of Tour and Travel Agents ABTO said, “The mega Bud- year, the mart and convention Walk and meditation session in (NATTA), Association of Thai dhist tourism event presents a will be much bigger and better Mahabodhi Temples Complex Kaulesh Kumar compared to last year. "The and around nearby places. The event presents a unique opportunity Secretary General convention hotel is bigger and During the convention, many ABTO better, hence the arrange- well-appointed business to the Indian travel trade to interact and ments are also bigger. We sessions are planned, where network with some of the biggest names almost 60 international guests have already raised some fund panellists will share their from countries like Nepal, for this mart, which is very views on topics like, India - A associated with Buddhist tourism Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar, encouraging and a very sup- key destination for Buddhist Vietnam, Sri Lanka, China, portive move. We are in talks Tourism & Potential markets, Travel Agents (ATTA), Tour unique opportunity to the Indian Malaysia and many other parts with gathering support from Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism- Association of Buddhist Tour Operators Association of travel trade for interacting and of the world. Chief High Priest of state governments and tourism Challenges and Opportunities, Operators (ABTO) is organising Bangladesh (TOAB), Federa- networking with some of the Malaysia and Taiwan have also departments. I am sure that Government efforts in the the second edition of the Inter- tion of ASEAN Travel Associa- biggest names associated with agreed to grace the event with more and more people will promotion of Buddhist Circuits, national Buddhist Travel Mart tion (FATA), International Bud- promoting Buddhist tourism their presence. I am expecting come forward to support us in Public-Private partnership in from December 10-12, 2019 dhist Confederation, Sri Lanka and spreading awareness about more than 200 people to attend our cause," he said. the development of Buddhist in one of the most important Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The the show, which is a very posi- Tourism, Investing in Buddhist Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Bodh Association of Bhutanese International Buddhist Travel tive sign in our attempt to make The organisers have Tourism Sector, Enhancing Gaya, where Lord Buddha Tour Operators (ABTO) Mart is poised to provide pos- the whole nation a popular des- introduced the Lord Buddha air connectivity for potential attained enlightenment beneath and Hotel Association of sibilities to buyers, sellers and tination among Buddhist tourists International Peace Award Buddhist destinations and

Advertorial a sacred Bodhi Tree. Nepal (HAN) coming on other delegates to meet with and identify India as ‘Land of where ABTO will give `1 lakh many others. Atout France, all for partners Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency – recently organised its annual event, The Ambassador’s Travel Awards in Mumbai. This year, Reunion Island Tourism Board also collaborated for the awards, and guests enjoyed vibrant music of the destination as they were treated to an entertaining performance by musicians coming from the island nation.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 20 12/2/2019 2:50:49 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 21 12/2/2019 2:50:53 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 22 12/2/2019 2:50:56 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 23 12/2/2019 2:50:59 PM 24 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AGENTS More aircraft and routes Kyrgyzstan for tourism Sanjay Kumar, COO, AirAsia India, claims that the airline saw Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Switzerland of Central Asia, decent growth in 2019 and intends to remain on the path with has always been an untouched domain although it has the addition of new ﬂights and improved service in 2020. immense potential for tourism.

quarter. Indian aviation has TT Bureau TT Bureau seen a gradual rise in laiming that the previous the last few years and for uring an interactive Cyear was a pleasant one the last 10 years, it has Devent organised by the for AirAsia India, Sanjay grown by an average Kyrgyz Embassy in Delhi for Kumar says, “Between of 20 per cent y-o-y. While the tourism fraternity, His December 2018 and now, the growth story has been Excellency Asein Isaev, our fleet size grew by over 60 fantastic with some significant Ambassador of the Kyrgyz per cent to accommodate the improvement in the overall Republic to India, said that much-needed growth we saw infrastructure supporting there is a lot of potential of in passenger volumes. We aviation, airline players have growing tourism in Kyrgyzstan started the year with 18 air- largely not been profitable. and around its beautiful cities craft in our fleet and intend to Sanjay Kumar Despite the turbulence in the and destinations. Chief Operating Officer AirAsia India first quarter of 2019, all well. We have received sugges- Bishkek in association with indicators are lining up to “We are working on establish- tions that Kyrgyzstan should Avia Traffic), said, “We are ing Kyrgyz Republic destina- start offering all-in-one pack- actively working along with This year, we also took our destination tions for tourism and I believe ages for tourism, which can Kyrgyzstan embassy and tour that the nation is doing very include visa, air tickets, etc., at operators to promote tourism count to 21, with Ahmedabad and a fixed price. At the embassy, from India. As an airline we agree to the idea and are group, we are providing visa Agartala being the latest additions Winter Schedule ready to provide any assistance services and are working to Arrival in Delhi: 07.50 hrs required to promote tourism soon provide a visa package close the year with our aircraft Talking about the Indian market show continued growth in Departure from Delhi: and business to Kyrgyzstan. to passengers who buy airline count touching 29. Our fleet and sharing tips on survival Indian aviation for the 09.20 hrs Getting a visa is very easy, and tickets from Avia Traffic. We size currently stands at 27, here, he said, “The aviation next decade.” Travel Time: 3hrs from eligible applicants can get their currently have three slots and and we plan to add two more industry has seen a paradigm Delhi visa in four days,” he said. can take them up to five, which by December 2019. This year, shift in the way people per- Kumar also claimed that Days: Thursdays & means five flights a week. We we also took our destination ceive air travel these days. The they will soon be making an- Sundays Sharing details on air connec- have 148 seats on one flight, count to 21, with Agartala and change is heralded by the four nouncements on new destina- Route: Bishkek-Delhi- tivity to the Central Asian na- the Boeing 737-300 - our Ahmedabad being the latest per cent growth in domestic tions they plan to induct in Bishkek tion, Taj Hewad, CEO, Skyline aircraft on the Indian route,” additions to our network.” air traffic we saw in the last their network.” Team (that operates flights to Hewad shared. A luxurious feast on board Regent Seven Seas Voyager was on a recent visit to Mumbai as part of its itinerary, sailing from Dubai to Singapore. Key travel agents from Mumbai were invited to witness the luxurious ship and savour the ﬂavours of the exquisite cuisine at one of Voyager’s main-dining restaurants.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 24 12/2/2019 2:51:05 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 25 12/2/2019 2:51:06 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 26 12/2/2019 2:51:09 PM GOVERNMENT DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 27 Inbound needs to be in focus ‘Barefoot Luxury in Fiji’ In an exclusive conversation with TRAVTALK, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, the newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of ITDC, shared his vision on tourism in India and taking ITDC forward.

Manas Dwivedi has a network of four Ashok It is the responsibility of tour operators group of hotels, one joint n his first interaction and stakeholders to work on boosting the venture hotel, one restaurant, Iwith the stakeholders of 12 transport units, 13 duty the industry at the monthly number of tourists coming to India free shops at seaport, and interactive luncheon meeting one sound and light show. of IATO in Delhi, G Kamala Fisheries Department; Incorporated in 1966 with ITDC is also managing Tourism Fiji’s brand ambassador Ileana D’Cruz launched the first edition of Tourism Fiji’s Luxury Resorts & Experiences brochures. Titled ‘Barefoot Luxury in Fiji’, the Vardhana Rao said that Director, Department of a mandate to develop and catering services at Western collection has been designed for the discerning luxury traveller and comprises two tourism industry is a very Tourism and Culture, Andhra expand tourism infrastructure Court, Vigyan Bhawan, and books - Island Bliss in Fiji and Fiji Unplugged. interesting sector. Having Pradesh government. in the country, ITDC presently Hyderabad House. worked with Kerala Tourism in the past, he said that a lot of work still needs to be done, especially for the tour operators and to increase the tourist inflow to India.

“If you look at the inbound statistics, the figure has not really gone up as expected, considering India’s potential as a destination and everything available in the country, whether it is the Himalayas, deserts, flora-fauna, or the wildlife sanctuaries. All these things are not available at one

G Kamala Vardhana Rao Chairman and Managing Director ITDC

place in other countries, but India has great potential to be one of the greatest destinations in the world. I think, it is the responsibility of all tour operators and stakeholders to work on boosting the number of tourists coming to India,” he said.

Rao, a 1990 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, has recently assumed office as Chairman and Manag- ing Director (CMD) of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). His last assignment was as Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Kerala. He has also served as the Secretary of Kerala Tour- ism in 2014-15.

In a span of close to three decades, Rao has served multiple positions including Chairman of Indian Tobacco Board; Director of

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 27 12/2/2019 2:51:11 PM 28 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 CRUISE 43 world treasures, 1 cruise Sale for MSC Cruises’ 117-day 2022 world cruise opens exclusively for MSC Voyagers Club members that will allow their clients to discover 43 treasures around the world in a single cruise. It offers 15 shore excursions in the cost of the cruise ticket and other excursions, including some overland tours away from the ship.

TT Bureau Spain, and Marseille in Calling in Sri Lanka will offer France. After calling at the vibrant city of Colombo SC Cruises has revealed Lisbon and Funchal, Portugal, before overnighting in Mthe itinerary for the MSC MSC Poesia will offer the Mumbai (India). Salalah World Cruise 2022 as sales chance to explore the island (Oman) and Aqaba (Jordan) opened exclusively for MSC of Cape Verde before heading for the ancient site of Petra are Voyagers Club members, to South America. She will the calls before her transiting with wider sales opening bring guests to destinations the Suez Canal on the way on December 9, 2019. With such as Rio de Janeiro back to Europe. this, clients can discover (Brazil) and Bueno Aires new cultures and new places (Argentina), where they With no more than four in every corner of the world will enjoy an overnight consecutive sea days, guests without having to unpack. MSC adventure, and Ushuaia in will also enjoy a total of nine Poesia will set sail from four Tierra del Fuego. overnight calls in ports includ- embarkation ports in Europe in ing Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), January 2022, calling at more The ship then makes her Buenos Aires (Argentina), than 43 ports of call, nine way from Valparaiso (Chile) Ushuaia (Argentina), Val- overnights across 24 countries and its wines from Chile’s paraiso (Chile), Callao (Peru), and five continents. Following Casablanca Valley to Callao Papeete (Tahiti), Sydney a westerly route via Cape Horn (Peru) where guests will get (Australia), Benoa (Indonesia) and Suez, guests will be able to explore Machu Picchu and Mumbai (India). The 2022 to circumnavigate the globe and the Amazon jungle. World Cruise offers 15 shore whilst cruising in style. The journey continues to Cook Islands. Auckland and Fiordland National Park and natural wonders of Darwin. On excursions included in the Arica (Chile) and Hanga Napier open the explorations the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns, her return leg, MSC Poesia will cost of the cruise ticket and, They will be able to embark Roa - capital of Easter Island, of ports in New Zealand, just Australia) with overnight in visit the breathtaking Lombok of course, other excursions from Civitavecchia and Genoa before heading to Aitutaki and before guests can soak up the the port of Sydney (Australia). Island (Indonesia), Singapore including some overland tours in Italy, Barcelona in Rarotonga – largest island of majestic scenery of both the From there, the ship tours the and Port Klang (Malaysia). away from the ship. Cruising must offer plenty With the demand for cruises in India increasing, this mode of travel is increasingly being used for corporate events, anniversaries, honeymoons, and trips with friends. With each having its own requirements, experts from the industry share the kind of demands Indian cruise travellers have.

FIT and group travel Luxury passengers Gen-Z travellers As a travel agent, we know that Luxury customers usually Gen-Z travellers are from a the cruise market is evolving. Hence, combine cruise and land. It’s generation that has grown up we consider that there are certain ex- very important to understand what with the internet, is tech-savvy, periences which may not be suitable the client really wants, because and highly influential on social for Indians. However, we should stay different clients would want different media. In fact, in the last few years, connected and keep looking at these things, provided there is no paucity there has been a rise in micro evolved experiences and involve them of time. Some only want to do communities, especially of people Anita Patni in our itineraries. With groups, the Nagsri Prasad Sashidhar cruises and some would also want Michael Lyngdoh aged 30. This means that they bond Associate VP - Leisure logistics are Indian food, especially Chief Happiness Officer land and cruise packages. However, Founder over specific authentic experiences Thomas Cook India because we do a lot of South Indian NAGSRI - Creating Special as travel advisors, when our clients Tripoto and have more wanderlust than even Memories departures, as well as departures come to us and ask for a cruise holi- the millennials to try new things. from Gujarat and Maharashtra. There is a need for a tour day, it is our responsibility to ask This means that firstly we need to focus more on social me- manager also with these groups. However, all that is easily them if they would like to upgrade the entire experience. We dia. Platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are more effective available, especially with ports like Singapore as a destination, can tell them that they are anyway going for a 5-night itinerary than traditional mediums. On an average, there are 300 million where language is not a problem. or a 3-night itinerary on cruise, they can include a destination posts daily on these platforms with the hashtag travel. This Today, people are looking at different experiences. Cruise before or after the cruise. It is important for us to broach the audience is also most likely to be influenced by other people is in itself a wholesome product for the customer, because topic to the client, as it is vital to keep a tab with the luxury as opposed to celebrities. This is the reason why there is a it allows you free time, a lot of shows, and activities for clients. A destination like Singapore has a lot of activities and huge uptake in the number of social media influencers, as children. However, Indian travellers want to do sightseeing facilities for clients to indulge in. they cater directly to Gen-Z or the millennial audience. and a lot of activities. They can’t just be on a cruise and Another important thing for luxury clients is that Gen-Z is also highly goal-oriented and loves sharing their do nothing. Hence, cruise companies can offer more everything needs to be sorted for them at every stop of experiences and achievements online. If travel agents want enhanced shore excursions and more cruise & land travel and also during the journey. As travel providers, to design products or itineraries, they need to think of combinations. Today, customers are looking for different we have to get things done for them at every port and in designing bucket list itineraries. things to do beyond cruising. We hardly get any bookings every country. It becomes seamless when everything is Inputs by TT Bureau for stand-alone cruises. We include at least a minimum of sorted, and hence we prefer destinations that can offer us two days on land for activities. facilities like that.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 28 12/2/2019 2:51:13 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 29 12/2/2019 2:51:16 PM 30 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 STATES Four islands to come up in A&N Holistic development of the four identiﬁed islands of Andaman & Nicobar, keeping carrying capacity in mind, has been accorded high priority by the government. The islands, which are regarded as high-value tourism destinations, are to be developed under the public private partnership (PPP) model.

Kanchan Nath ministration and the strategy is are looking at Long island with in A&N islands. We have had to upgrade infrastructure and an area of 42 hectares, about an investors’ meet, and we he government has decided create very high-value tourism 220 keys are to be developed have primarily tried to tell them Tto develop the islands of destinations here. We will and the concession period is that Andamans is a destination Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) provide upfront clearances like about 75 years. A protrud- for high-end tourism. We are and Lakshadweep for enhanc- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) ing jetty will be constructed encouraging sustainable and ing them as high-value tourism /environmental clearances as and approach to heliport will responsible development, destinations. Speaking at the well as a timeline for approv- be there. Aves island, which comparable to the best in the pre-application conference als. By the time the bidding is is a great romantic getaway world. We are improving the for Eco Tourism Resorts for complete all projects will have spreading to 2.75 hectares connectivity by an undersea A&N Islands, Amitabh Kant, CRZ clearance and will be is to be developed with cable project connecting CEO, NITI Aayog, said, ”These supported by local islanders; about 50 keys. Concession mainland India with A&N are some of the most pristine development will be strictly period is over 50 years, with islands which will be a reality Amitabh Kant Chetan B Sanghi islands, one of the last destina- within the carrying capacity." CEO Chief Secretary construction period of three by June-November 2020. This tions in the world to be opened NITI Aayog A&N Administration years. This will be a very will bring the best internet up; therefore, they are very First-ever water villas unique eco-tourism getaway. connectivity to Andamans. We unique, and our objective is projects in Lakshadweep Smith and Ross island are are also introducing flights to to develop them as high-value Kant elucidated upon the eco- like `319 crore which will vary keys over 3.82 hectares, while spread over 25 hectares, 70 three international destinations tourism destinations. They will tourism projects in Lakshad- from developers and build- the project cost is 247 crore, keys are to be developed with and are in touch with different be built around the carrying weep. He said, “The projects ers. The concession period over a concession period of a 50-year concession period. airlines for the same. We cur- 66 years. Sea planes and heli There will be a civil passenger rently have 26 flights reaching services will be introduced in terminal at Diglipur, ready for Port Blair every day during the We are improving the connectivity by an undersea cable Kadmat island, which is an operation which is very close current tourist season. We project connecting mainland India with A&N islands, which will adventure tourism destina- to it. A floating jetty will also be also have a whole lot of tion -- a unique deep dive constructed. Shaheed Dweep helicopters, sea planes, be a reality in 2020. This will bring the best internet connectivity destination. Water villas with is known for its beautiful interisland ships and ferries to Andaman & Nicobar islands 35 keys over six hectares and sunsets and unique white that are operating currently.” Amitabh Kant land villas with 75 keys over sandy beaches spread over 5.5 hectares will be developed 9.7 hectares; 120 keys are to Sanghi added, “We will ensure capacity of the islands after we are working on are water is 66 years; the supporting here. There will be a conces- be developed with 75 years of that investors get easy and detailed analysis. Initially, villas in Minicoy island, these infrastructure will be an airport sion period, and this region concession period. The island early clearances. Also, initially four islands will be developed are absolute coral paradises. in Minicoy island which we are has the potential to become has regular sea connectivity 30 per cent and later 60 per in A&N islands and five in There is an increase in con- proposing, and uniqueness is the world’s best destination for from Port Blair.” cent of the local population Lakshadweep. We have issued cession period, we feel that for a very large lagoon in the area. water sports.” will get employment. Port a Request for Quotation (RFQ) the first time in India we are We are also doing water villas Chetan B Sanghi, Chief Blair airport is an international on the website of NITI Aayog doing around 40 water villas in Suheli island in Lakshad- Long, Aves, Smith and Secretary, A&N Administration, airport so we hope that with and Union Territory (UT) ad- over six hectares and land weep; there will be 50 keys for Shaheed Dweep to be further reiterated, “We have a the visa facilities, the expected ministration. We have worked villas, and 110 keys over 8.53 water villas over six hectares. developed in A&N islands clear direction from the Centre tourists from abroad would go very closely with the UT ad- hectares. The costing looks For land villas there will be 60 Kant added, “In Andaman we to promote high-end tourism up in the future."

NiYOZEN: Where travel is a passion Operating responsibly Shuvendu Banerjee, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Kochi, shares insights on WTM and talks about their new campaign, Human by Nature, which promotes responsible tourism.

TT Bureau sector across the globe. The hotel continues to receive huvendu Banerjee is ec- good business from the UK, Sstatic that they had some Germany, Italy and Spain, good meetings at WTM 2019 which are its key source mar- and were able to meet some kets. “In India, however, we important buyers. “As a hotel, are primarily a M!CE hotel with we have a lot of business 270 rooms. Mumbai and Delhi from the UK and are hopeful of are definitely good source getting good results. In spite markets for us,” he shares. of the overall economic slow- Speaking of new initiatives down we’ve seen over the last at Crowne Plaza Kochi, which few months, we are hopeful Shuvendu Banerjee has been in existence for over that WTM 2019 would be able six years now, Banerjee adds, to generate good queries for “Our new campaign, Human NiYOZEN, a community of new-age travellers who travel not just for a vacation or Social Media uploads but for the passion of India.” He adds that events of by Nature, promotes responsi- exploring, recently conducted a meetup where a panel of experts deliberated on some of the most popular topics at hand when such scale give new insights helping them stay up to date ble tourism.This should make it comes to travelling. to industry players and buyers, with what’s happening in the a significant difference.”

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 30 12/2/2019 2:51:17 PM AGENTS DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 31 Tripjack offers tech beneﬁts After investing heavily in technology, Tripjack is able to offer its partners rich content, a seamless booking experience, and competitive hotel and ﬂight rates from popular countries. The company will soon integrate the service with WhatsApp.

Hazel Jain The website also cuts down of our payments are now auto- gone up to more than 10 per WhatsApp, where every trans- time lags for inquiries. The mated, giving customers more cent. Our mobile interface is action will create an automated aving made the bold move entire journey will get auto- flexibility in terms of payment also really intuitive and transac- booking voucher on the agent’s Hto rebrand itself and move mated, thereby giving a lot of uploads and doing business tions can be done on the go,” mobile number with the details on to a new platform, Tripjack confidence to the travel agent’s with us at any time. Earlier, Patel shares. which can be forwarded by also has a new proposition for customer with instant response we had two per cent of our them to their client. Tripjack Hussain Patel Director its agent partners. It gives its and creating more stickiness. business on mobile and with The company will soon has over 150 LCCs from US, Tripjack customers two main advan- “Moreover, almost 60 per cent the launch of Tripjack, this has introduce an integration with UK, Europe and Australia. tages in terms of content and technology. Hussain Patel, Director, Tripjack, says, “We have successfully migrated all our 20,000 travel partners across India on to Tripjack. We wanted to have a separate identity for the entire B2B vertical. We are also looking to grow globally in the next few months, and Tripjack is a more exciting and vibrant name.”

He says that the new website is more intuitive and gives its customers a lot of flexibility in terms of creating more touchpoints between Tripjack

We are adding a lot of SOTO fares from global markets like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Thailand, UK, US, Italy, France

customers and their clients. “We have invested heavily in technology in the last year and created Tripjack. Content is also an important factor and in the next three months, our partners will see a lot of new things. We are adding a lot of SOTO fares from global markets like Aus- tralia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Thailand, UK, US, Italy, France, etc. We are going to get local fares for hotels and flights for these destinations which will be reflected on Tripjack in a single search. So, the technology we have incorporated is enabling us to do all these things for our customers, which we couldn’t do earlier. Our customers will see a lot of content in the next three months and, of course, the local fares from each market will be very competitive and give them a further edge in their business,” Patel adds.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 31 12/2/2019 2:51:18 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 32 12/2/2019 2:51:22 PM AGENTS DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 33 'Undiscovered' Europe Skål launches Mysuru club Globus and Cosmos has launched new tours for 2020 under its successful ‘Undiscovered’ series of touring vacations through Italy, Great Britain, and the Mediterranean.

TT Bureau wing to the great popularity Oof its ‘Undiscovered’ tours, for 2020, Globus and Cosmos has unveiled new ‘Undiscov- ered’ tours to Italy & Great For those looking for more of unveiled—CosmosLite’ NEW! Britain and six new tours to an á la carte option, the Globus Nice to Lyon Explorer (8 days, ‘Undiscovered Mediterranean’. family of brands’ Cosmos Lite priced from $899) and Cos- Skål International India has launched its 14th club, Skål International Mysuru, in the City of Palaces. With 22 members in tow, vacations offer a hassle-free way mosLite’ NEW! Greek Explorer & the club will be led by Suresh Charles as President, Prashanth B as Vice President, and Sunaina Manerker as Secretary. While the charter night was hosted at Grand Mercure Mysuru, the charter document was handed over by Vijay Mohan Raj, “On an undiscovered tour with to discover the Mediterranean, Aegean Islands Cruise (12 days, Director, Skål International; Sanjay Datta, President, Skål Asia; and Ranjini Nambiar, President, Skål International India. Globus and Cosmos, we lead under which two new tours were priced from $1,640). travellers away from the lines of the Colosseum to go down the sunny streets of quiet Tuscan towns; away from the hustle and bustle of London and into quaint villages in the heart of

Varesh Chopra Regional Director – South Asia and Middle East, Globus family of brands

On an Undiscovered tour, we lead travellers away from the hustle and bustle and into quaint villages other tour companies don’t visit

the British countryside, and through the winding roads and unspoiled villages of Greece other tour companies don’t visit and cruise ships don’t overnight,” said Varesh Chopra, Regional Director – South Asia and Middle East for the Globus family of brands.

NEW vacations joining the portfolio for 2020 include Globus’ NEW! Southern Italy & Greece with 4-Night Cruise (19 days, priced from $4,390); Cosmos’ NEW! Sicily (8 days, priced from $1,199); Globus’ NEW! Scottish Highland Fling (10 days, priced from $2,699); Globus’ NEW! Greek Island Adventure (8 days, priced from $1,757); Globus’ NEW! Eclectic Aegean with 7-Night Cruise (11 days, priced from $2,540); and Cosmos’ NEW! Discover the Eastern Med (11 days, priced from $1,629).

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 33 12/2/2019 2:51:25 PM 34 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 GUESTCOLUMN Legal implications in social media Today, there is a need to understand legal ramiﬁcations of digital communication. In the tourism industry, contracts and agreements can be entered into at any place. Terms can be negotiated upon and the same can be communicated via social media. However, if a dispute arises, all communication is admissible as evidence.

esponsible communica- tick marks are shown; and has been recognised under being sold, etc. The contents be express or implied. When with a certain responsibility. Rtion is an important other social media platforms, Information Technology Act, which fall under any legal an Indian tour agency enters One must practise responsible part of trade and business. considered delivered if the 2000. The admissibility framework are those which into an agreement with a communication. With the Important communications respective platform shows the of such communication is are posted without any basis, client for foreign travel and changing law, any form of like agreements, offers, and ‘delivered’ sign. provided under Section 65B of are disparaging, defamatory the tour agency employs a communication/publication acceptances are made via the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and abusive, and can lower foreign operator agent, the which is false/mala fide can e-mail, WhatsApp and other For legal communication under which a certificate the esteem of a person in the foreign operator is the agent be produced in a court of social media messengers. and publication in the along with the printout/physi- public domain. The above- of the Indian tour operator law as evidence. Legal acknowledgement of netizen world, these cal copy of the e-mail, group mentioned e-communication and the Indian tour operator receipts in new-age technol- include communication in chat, Tweet, audio/video clip, is within public domain. is the principal. A principal (The guest column has ogy includes e-mails, which group chats, posting on etc., needs to be produced Hence, any member who is liable for the actions done been provided by Anjana is considered delivered if sent social media platforms before a court of law. posts anything on group chats by an agent during the course Gosain, Advocate in Supreme to the official e-mail address; (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or otherwise needs to be of employment. Court and Delhi High Court. text message, which is con- etc.), and sending an e-mail The certificate must state that responsible while promoting She has an extensive practice spanning 40 years specialising sidered delivered if sent to the blast to multiple recipients. the computer system from product or service. Legal consequences in tourism and aviation laws. official mobile number; What- In the tourism industry, which the physical copy was The different types of legal The views expressed here are sApp, which is considered contracts and agreements produced is a functional one Law of agency consequences that may befall her personal views.) delivered and read if two blue can be entered into at any and is in regular use. If a dis- When one party delegates irresponsible communication place. Terms can be negoti- pute arises, all communica- some authority to another can be sought under civil and The Delhi High Court has held ated upon and the same tions made on such platforms party whereby the latter criminal law. A recent amend- that an administrator of a can be communicated via are admissible as evidence, performs his actions in a more ment to the Consumer Protec- group, who does not regulate social media platforms. such as messages agreeing or less independent fashion, tion Act 1986 has brought content, cannot be held liable to changing the terms of on behalf of the first party, the e-commerce platforms within for WhatsApp messages. Legal admissibility the agreement, photographs relationship between them is the ambit of product liability. Electronic communication shared of the product that is called an agency. Agency can Use of social media comes Anjana Gosain Cricket unites the travel trade TBO Group (Nijhawan Group) recently organised its annual ‘Travel Trade Cricket League’ (TTCL) for travel partners. The tournament was held on November 16 and 17 at Warriors Cricket Club in Baliawas (Gurugram), and saw 16 strong teams from the travel fraternity compete against each other.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 34 12/2/2019 2:51:28 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 35 12/2/2019 2:51:30 PM 36 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 AGENTS 11-year gift to trade 195 ofﬁces by Mar’20 Selling various premium cruise lines for over a decade, Launched in January 2019, One Above has grown with ofﬁces Cruise Professionals has launched a special offer for the in 95 countries and aims to take this number up to 195 by travel trade on its 11th anniversary, valid till December 6. March 2020, reveals BA Rahim, Director, One Above.

that there are no draws, TT Bureau TT Bureau no lucky dip. Once you sell lated on completing 11 suc- five cabins and balcony, you ithin a year, One Above Ecessful years in the industry, will automatically be entitled WDestination Management Nishith Saxena, Founder & for the reward.” Services has expanded to 95 Director, Cruise Profession- destinations with its own DMCs als, said that his company Briefing about the growth globally. Speaking about this, has coined a very interesting and fleet expansion plans of BA Rahim says, “We are ex- promotion for the travel trade. Princess Cruises, preferred tremely happy that One Above Sharing details, he said, “When partners of Cruise Profession- has been accepted by the we celebrate, we celebrate als, Saxena said, “This is a very travel fraternity as one of the with everybody. For the 11th exciting time for us. Recently, in most preferred DMC partners anniversary and going forward, Nishith Saxena October 2019, Princess Cruises globally, and in these Founder & Director we have coined a very interest- Cruise Professionals launched a new ship by the last 11 months we have ing promotion for the travel name of ‘Sky Princess’. It has a opened 51 offices in 95 des- 3600-passenger capacity. Next tinations. Our aim is to reach global Destination Manage- set up the entire team in India Travel agencies just have to sell five summer, in 2020, the cruise 195 offices by March 2020. ment Company, with expertise as well as Poland.” Apart from line is launching a ship called Fortunately, we have already in multiple areas such as tour this, One Above also has its own cabins on any Princess cruise for the ‘Enchanted Princess’. The crossed the hurdle of being packages, social and business offices in Thailand and Male, 2020 itinerary, after which they will be following year in 2021, accepted and I want to thank events, M!CE, as well as with a few more offices coming Princess Cruise will have the industry for that.” specialised tours. up in other destinations. entitled to a free cruise ex-Singapore another ship called ‘Discovery Princess’. With these three The three partners, that also Rahim adds, “In October 2019, One Above promises to offer trade. For year 2020, travel free cruise, ex-Singapore, ships, our fleet size will go to includes Irshad Dadan, Direc- we started our Europe opera- the best contracted rates, agencies just have to sell five along with a part of air fare 22. With addition of these three tor, One Above, and Vishal tions with an office in Poland, professional handling of M!CE cabins (balcony or higher-grade and visa fee of Singapore. ships and an additional 10,000 Somaiya, Director, One Above, which will serve as our head group series, owned/contracted cabins) on any Princess cruise The special offer is valid from berth capacity to sell, there are hosted a Diwali party for its office for Europe. From there, we fleet of vehicles and in-house for the year 2020 itinerary, after November 7 to December 6. huge opportunities for all of key travel partners in Mumbai. will be operating in almost 25 Indian-friendly guides, as well which they will be entitled for a The beauty of this promotion is us, going forward.” The company is an all-inclusive European destinations. We have as M!CE catering. 70 years of good relations

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Philippines-India diplomatic relations, the Philippines Embassy organised a get-together with delegates from both countries, including the travel trade. His Excellency Ramos S Bagatsing Jr, Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines to India, was the gracious host during the evening.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 36 12/2/2019 2:51:35 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 37 12/2/2019 2:51:38 PM ASSOCIATIONTALK IATO clariﬁes RCM issues Media Partners: During its latest monthly interactive luncheon meeting in New Delhi, IATO briefed members about Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) through a presentation and updated them through in-house announcements. DECEMBER 2019 International Buddhist Travel Mart & Bodhgaya 10-12 Manas Dwivedi 2nd ABTO Convention nteracting with members at UNWTO World Conference on Kyoto, Japan 12-13 the recently-held luncheon Tourism and Culture I after the successful conclu- Travel M!CE Show Chennai 14-15 sion of the convention in Kolk- ata, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) commenced the meeting by welcoming the JANUARY 2020 newly-appointed Chairman SATTE Greater Noida 8-10

IITM Kochi 9-11

ASEAN Tourism Forum Brunei 12-16

CII Destination East Kolkata 12-19 Mudgill, Honorary Secretary, tion on GST issues, clarifying to IATO members and tour IATO, talked about the meeting the doubts of all our members operators. The issue has been U & I Roadshow New Delhi 13 with Ministry of Tourism, on different aspects. These taken up with Ministry of Tour- Government of India, and up- were the main highlights and ism, Ministry of Finance, as Visit Britain Sales Mission Mumbai 13 coming roadshows organised we had a good gathering of well as NITI Aayog. I feel, the South African Tourism Roadshow Bengaluru 13 and Managing Director of by the Ministry in Singapore, members and a fruitful lunch- issues need to be discussed Indian Tourism Development Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and eon meeting with them.” on a higher level. For the Asia Pacific Tourism & Bengaluru 13-15 Corporation (ITDC), G Kamala Thailand (Bangkok). roadshows next month, Travel Fair (APTTF) Vardhana Rao. In his first Rajiv Mehra, Vice President, we are hopeful that many U & I Roadshow Nagpur 14 interaction with members, Rao On the occasion, EM Najeeb, IATO, said that the meeting people will join in. Apart requested the support of IATO Senior Vice President, IATO, was organised after a gap of from that, IATO is working to South African Tourism Roadshow Pune 14 for ITDC, and assured to work said, “We wanted to clear the two months due to the annual resolve other issues faced in tandem with the travel trade doubts of our members on convention and AGM. “The by our members such as the U & I Roadshow Mumbai 15 to promote inbound traffic RCM. We invited SC Kamra, key issues discussed in the withdrawal of airport entry to India. Delivering in-house GST Consultant for IATO, who meeting focused on hotels pass for tour operators,” Visit Britain Sales Mission Delhi 15 announcements, Rajesh made an excellent presenta- not passing on GST benefits he affirmed.

South African Tourism Roadshow Mumbai 15

IITT Mumbai 15-17 U & I Roadshow Ahmedabad 16 ADTOI focus on northeast U & I Roadshow Bengaluru 17 ADTOI, with the support of Ministry of Tourism and in collaboration with Paryatan Kumbh Lucknow 17-20 organisers of the North East Tourism Festival, organised the North East U & I Roadshow Hyderabad 20 Tourism Road Show and B2B Meeting on November 9 in New Delhi. Destination DC roadshow Delhi 20-21

U & I Roadshow Chennai 21

Destination DC roadshow Mumbai 22-23

FITUR Madrid 22-26

Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) Nagpur 27-28

FEBRUARY 2020 OTM Mumbai 3-5

BIT Milano Milan 9-11

NYC & Co Sales Mission Delhi 10-12

Visit Finland Sales Mission Mumbai 11

PATA Adventure Travel Conference Sabah, Malaysia 12-14 & Mart

Visit Finland Sales Mission Delhi 13

NYC & Co Sales Mission Mumbai 13-15

IITM Kolkata 21-23 For more information, contact us at: [email protected]

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 38 12/2/2019 2:51:42 PM CLIPBOARD DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 TRAVTALK 39

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 39 12/2/2019 2:51:43 PM 40 TRAVTALK DECEMBER 1ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2019 MOVEMENTS

AirAsia India Accor India & South Asia Emirates Bengaluru Gurugram Mumbai Vikas Agarwal has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at AirAsia Accor has appointed Kerrie Hannaford as Vice President Commercial Emirates has appointed Jabr Al-Azeeby as the new Vice President India. A Chartered Accountant, Agarwal has 27 years of experience for Accor India & South Asia. An industry sales and marketing veteran, India and Nepal. This is part of the airline’s management rotation, and with large businesses in engineering, FMCG, Hannaford has been part of the Accor family for positions it to better serve customer needs and apparel and retail industry, where he has the past 15 years. After holding positions respond with agility to market dynamics. Al- demonstrated his ability to turnaround at IHG and Starwood Hotels in Australia, Azeeby began his career with Emirates in business, drive growth, and improve she joined Accor in 2005. In 2007, she October 2005 as a commercial graduate efficiency and profitability with adoption was appointed Head Sales, Distribution trainee and quickly moved up the ranks to the of technology and through change & Revenue Management for Australia, role of Manager Uganda in 2008. He held this management. In his previous role, Agarwal and then moved to New York City as position for three years, gaining significant was Vice President at Titan, a TATA VP of Global Sales for North America. expertise in managing commercial group company. Prior to In her current position, Hannaford operations and teams, enhancing the Titan, Agarwal worked works as Area Director of customer experience, looking with GE Motors, Coca Sales and Marketing at for opportunities to better Cola, Whirlpool, and Accor New Zealand, Fiji and serve the local community, Indo Gulf Fertilizers. French Polynesia. and working with internal stakeholders.

Hilton Hilton Hilton Gurugram Gurugram Gurugram Hilton has appointed Sabu Raghavan as Vice President, Human Hilton has announced the appointment of Rohit Dar as Regional Ranjan Malakar has also been appointed as Regional Director Resources, India. With over two decades of experience in human Director of Operations in India. With India’s travel and tourism sector of Operations in India at Hilton. He has over two resources in the education and hospitality continuing to show significant growth potential, decades of hospitality experiencence iinn mumulti-lti- industry, Raghavan joined Hilton in 2011 Hilton has appointed more than 10 senior functional roles across locationsns in IndiaIndia,, and was most recently based in Singapore leaders from across industries in the last Maldives, Southeast Asia, and tthehe Middle where he oversaw human resources for two years to lead different functions and East. His latest assignment was aass Director Southeast Asia and India. Raghavan’s roles in India. Dar brings with him over 25 Operations, IHG Holiday Inn Expressess & New new role will see him focusing years of experience in the hospitality sector Projects. As Director Operationss for Hilton exclusively on India, working closely with with a strong all-round knowledge of hotel India, Malakar will be based inn the India Hilton’s leadership team to drive culture operations, with his most recent position Regional Office (Gurugram) andd will report and talent development among Hilton team being as General Manager of Westin into Navjit Ahluwalia – SVP and Countryountry Head, members. Based in Hilton’s Gurugram office Hyderabad Mindspace. As Director Hilton India. His experience will in India, Raghavan will work closely with Operations for Hilton India, Dar will enable him to continue the spiritt the India leadership team and lead the be based in the India Regional of innovation and performance Office (Gurugram). HR strategy for India. at the hotel group.

Mountain Valley Travel & Tourism JW Marriott SK Lords Eco Inn Muscat Pune Ahmedabad Puneet Saxena has been appointed as Vice President, International JW Marriott Pune has appointed Vimal Verma as Director of Lords Hotels and Resorts has appointed Nirjay Antani as Business and Head, Business & Marketing Globally for inbound and Operations. In his new role, Verma, who has close to 15 years of Operations Manager at SK Lords Eco Inn, Ahmedabad. In the outbound Oman tours at Mountain Valley Travel experience, will be overseeing operational new role, he will be involved in maintaining & Tourism, one of the leading destination aspects and enhancing customer service standards along with achieving management companies in Oman. He has satisfaction. His previous stints as the customer satisfaction through teamwork. 20 years of experience working across Director of Operations at Andaz Delhi, A diploma holder in Hotel Management different segments of travel, including Director of Food & Beverage at Andaz from the Institute of Hotel Management leisure, M!CE, corporate travel and special Delhi, Conference and Banqueting & Culinary Arts, Antani’s strength lies in interest tours, with leading offline and online Manager at Hyatt Regency Delhi, have organising hotel operations and ensuring travel companies in both the B2B and B2C equipped him with the skills to lead diverse standard operating procedures. Prior to segment. Saxena has held several senior and multi-cultural teams in achieving Lords, his last assignment was management roles in these companies. optimum efficiency and delivering with Central Beacon Hotel top-notch guest experiences. as Operations Manager. Verma is an Executive MBA in Global Management from IIM Kolkata.

Speaking about his idea of wellness, Shahrom Oshtori, At 44, Parveen Jiterwal, Founder & CEO, The Whiteboard Ravi Rai, General Manager, Hilton Mumbai International General Manager, The Park, Mumbai, says, “I de-stress by Company, describes himself as a Lady Gaga fan, an Airport, enjoys spending time with his son. “We love stressing others out! On a serious internet buff and a travel buff. “Music is the going for long bike rides. When we are note, I enjoy spending time with my quickest way to de-stress for me, but not off-roading, we prefer to indulge daughters who are five and two my favourite way is to go back home in a game of badminton. I also years, respectively. One thing I am in Goa. The greenery and slowness love to binge-watch South Indian most passionate about is food and around just calms me down. I’m movies dubbed in Hindi,” he my favourite cuisine is Chinese.” lazy by heart and I love doing nothing says. He enjoys visiting his native He also enjoys travelling. One of his most times. It is safe to say that my place Kumbla, a small town in most memorable holiday favourite holiday destination in India is Kerala with his family. “I cherish moments was during Goa. There is no destination like the memories that I his visit to the Vatican it. Internationally, I love Paris experienced and throwing coins and Queenstown in New growing up for good luck in the Zealand,” he says. in the town,” Trevi fountain. adds Rai.

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 40 12/2/2019 2:51:48 PM FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 41 12/2/2019 2:51:52 PM LASTPAGE Offbeat locales in demand: VFS Reaching the milestone of processing 200 million visa applications globally since its inception, VFS Global is increasing its outreach to travel partners for process-related information to ensure they are well-equipped.

Manas Dwivedi customers and governments in cities, have witnessed this requirements. Regular meetings mind. Personalisation and con- increase from various pockets and roadshows not only allow What are your venience are the key elements of the country. Several reasons us to develop this successful Qthoughts on achieving of any service industry today have acted as a springboard synergy but also help us feel this milestone? and our optional additional for this noteworthy growth, for the pulse of the travel trade This milestone is the result of services also evolved accord- example, new airports in these community. In order to support the continued faith and sup- ingly to offer solutions such as markets, disposable income their efforts, we have several port of our customers, client Premium Lounge, Priority & and easier visa application. special offers and packages for governments and travel trade Super Priority Visa for urgent them. We offer the travel agents partners, and also a testimony travel for UK visas, Prime How crucial a role do a wide range of innovative to the rising number of travel- Time to provide flexibility to Qtravel agents play in services like preferred pricing lers. It took 14 years to cross the time-bound customer, your scheme of things? for Visa At Your Doorstep group the first 100 million and just and so on. The travel agents fraternity has applications, Premium Lounges four years to cross the next for personalised service, and 100 million, and it is indicative ability to apply outside regular of the growth in travel across In the last decade, we grew from 25 hours (prime time services). the globe. governments to 63 clients’ governments, In addition to this, we are increasing our outreach to How has this opened 3117 centres, and increased our our travel partners regarding Qjourney of growth global footprint to 147 countries process-related information to and evolution been? ensure they are best equipped The journey of VFS Global to serve their customers and started in India with one visa What changes always been an integral part of set the right expectations. We application centre in Mumbai, Qhave you witnessed our ecosystem. Their support have invested strongly into an in 2001. Since then we have in travel from India? and assistance has been extended customer service witnessed steady growth in Without a doubt, Indians crucial for us at various touch- department and staff training on terms of client governments, contribute extensively to the points in our operation. In fact, the ground. visa application centres and rising number of international they have played key roles in our customer base. travellers. In fact, according to facilitating several services like UNWTO, Indians will account Visa At Your Doorstep where More specifically, in the last for 50 million outbound tourists 95 per cent of the applications decade, we grew from 25 by 2020. This is a jump from 8 were facilitated by travel agents. governments to 63 clients’ million Indian outbound travel- governments, opened 3117 lers a decade ago. There are No industry works without a application centres, and several reasons that tie back strong ecosystem, and our increased our global footprint to this increasing trend. One of support has always been the to 147 countries. them being Indians opting for travel trade fraternity. We several short-haul destinations will continue to engage Breakthrough technology and in a year as opposed to one with them and customer-centric innovations long haul destination. Indians ensure we are always have held us in good stead. In exploring newer destinations abreast of their the last decade or so, we saw also supplement this trend of requirements. some interesting innovations rising numbers. that have changed the way we Any service process visas, be it joint visa What kind of growth Qenhancements application centres, mobile Qhave you seen from for the Indian biometric solutions, e-visa India, especially from market, especially services or even the first-ever Tier-II and III markets? for the agents? visa services chatbot, ViVa! International travel from India’s Through consistent Vinay Malholtra Tier-II and III markets has engagement and com- Regional Group COO - South Asia, Ameri- These services were created clearly increased. Our network munication, we ensure we cas, Middle East & North Africa VFS Global keeping the requirements of the of centres, spread across 17 are always cognisant of their FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 43 12/2/2019 2:51:57 PM Postal Reg. No.: DL(ND)-11/6044/2018-19-20; WPP No.: U(C)-178/2018-20 for posting on 1st-2nd and 16th-17th of the same month at NDHO, New Delhi - 110001, RNI No.: 53492/1991 Date of Publication: 30-11-2019

FINAL TT-December-1st-2019.indd 44 12/2/2019 2:51:59 PM