About India Outbound Magazine
India Outbound, a bi-monthly print magazine with dynamic web and social media presence focused on outbound travel from India, is published by Media India Group. Distributed all over India, and in all the top tourism events across the world, India Outbound caters mainly to the tourism professionals and is looking to develop new and innovative circuits and promote new destinations to the high-end travellers.
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ITE HCMC 2019 introduces new features to attract more visitors
To celebrate its 15th year milestone, the International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) is introducing a bundle of new features and special highlights to make the annual event an even more spectacular one for the expected record-high attendance.
This year, more than 350 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors are expected, with 250 international buyers, 50 outbound Vietnamese buyers, and a record number of 40 hosted media.
The show is welcoming back exhibitors who have participated in the event for the last 15 years, such as Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Ministry of Tourism along with over 45 Vietnamese cities and provinces. Also exhibiting are national tourism organisations from countries such as China, Gangwon, India, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Seoul, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
This year, to mark the 15th anniversary show, there will be even more impactful networking opportunities, such as customised business matching services, speed “dating” sessions, and pre-scheduled business meetings. Exhibitors and Buyers can also look forward to numerous informative seminars by industry experts; a spectacular Opening Ceremony; an exquisite Gala Dinner with the theme of Soulful Vietnam; and other exciting networking events.
To thank exhibitors for their support and to add a fun element to the event, the organisers will hold the ITE HCMC Awards, giving out tokens of appreciation and commendation in three categories: ITE Partner Recognition Award (Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze), ITE Exhibitor Award and Best Booth Design Award.
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Skyscanner names Abu Dhabi among world’s most cultural cities
Abu Dhabi has been named as one of the most cultural cities in the world in a recent online list compiled by Skyscanner, a travel fare website. The UAE capital made to the list after the Chinese-owned website identified its top five destinations for expanding any travellers’ horizons with an arts and culture-filled holiday.
Coming in at number two, only preceded by Florence in Italy, the UAE capital was singled out for being one of the Middle East’s most exciting cultural centres, featuring the National Theatre and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The website also highlighted the addition to the emirate of Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, as the Arab world's first universal museum along with describing the emirate's dining scene as being "as diverse as its multicultural population". The fascinating growth of interest in electronica music was also highlighted, adding a modern element to the cultural appeal of the emirate.
"For Abu Dhabi to have been named as one of the most cultural cities in the world reflects positively on the work the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has done to position the emirate at the very forefront of people's minds when they consider their next great cultural adventure," said Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi. "This recognition also reinforces our resolve to continue to strive for excellence in our efforts to promote our emirate as a destination like no other.”
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Visit Brussels concludes photo-shoot with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma
Visit Brussels has taken its promotional strategies to another level by collaborating with Filmfare magazine for a photo-shoot taking Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma as a model. In the August issue of the magazine, the actress could be seen exploring the city wearing her girl-next-door charm and posing at various locations in Brussels which are synonymous to the culture of the Belgium capital.
Touristic hotspots like The Grand Place, The House of European History, Fine Arts Museum, Mont des Arts were chosen as shooting locations for the project. “I absolutely loved shooting here. The city (Brussels) is wonderful,” said Anushka to the Filmfare crew.
Anuradha Choudhary, executive editor, Filmfare said, “It would be safe to say this is our most ambitious shoot till date. In Mumbai we are constrained to shooting at one studio or one hotel. In our previous foreign shoots, we haven’t moved around much. However, we wanted to push the envelope this time. We decided to shoot all over the beautiful city and get the best of it. And Brussels has so much to offer. It’s so rich in history and yet has a modern feeling to it. Loved every bit of it. Also a word of praise for the team of Visit Brussels. They were extremely helpful, efficient and cheerful”.
In the year 2018, 28,756 Indians visited Brussels and there was a growth of 22 pc in arrivals from India as compared to year 2017.
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"Malhausi Monaco" dazzles at India Couture Week 2019
Monaco Tourism presented the collection by the master storyteller and couturier Rahul Mishra at India Couture Week 2019. Malhausi Monaco, the showcase, revolved entirely around the famous streets of Monte Carlo and celebrated the emotion associated with a human interaction with nature in Malhausi and a walk along the memories of picturesque dwellings in Monaco.
Rahul Mishra said, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Visit Monaco for the showcase of our couture collection which majorly takes inspiration from my experiences during a blissful visit to the Principality of Monaco, last summer."
Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Nangia, India director, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau said, "The Principality of Monaco is taking various environmental & sustainable initiatives, to reduce the carbon footprint and ensures that there is handover of a lovable heritage to our generations to come. We are delighted to be associated with Rahul Mishra in showcasing his love for nature. His colourful inspirations are truly modern and an evergreen couture. His collection treasures the initiatives of Monaco's "Green is the New Glam" campaign, a pro-active commitment by the Principality, where each experience, from hospitality to cuisine to major attractions as well as mobility, lets you discover and savour fresh feels of the ethereal paradise that Destination Monaco is bestowed with!"
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Scoot to add 16 Airbus A321neos to fleet
Scoot announced the introduction of 16 new A321neo aircraft into its fleet. The first aircraft, named “Wings of Change”, will be delivered in the last quarter of 2020 and will be used on routes within six hours (medium-haul markets). The new fleet will enable Scoot to meet its double-digit growth plan by the end of financial year 2020/2021. Of the 16 aircraft, six are an upsize from Scoot’s current A320neo order from Airbus, while 10 will be leased.
Scoot CEO Lee Lik Hsin said, “The A321neos will inject growth possibilities to our network plans for 2020 and beyond, and it is indeed apt that we have named the first aircraft ‘Wings of Change’. Customers will be greeted by our brand-new cabin interiors, with seat products they are already familiar with. We hope the process of introducing this new fleet into our Scoot family will be as exciting for our customers as it is for us.”
With the A321neo’s enhanced sharklets, fuel-efficient engines and latest cabin innovations in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky, there is an expected fuel cost savings of 12 pc as compared to the A320neos and 20 pc as compared to the A320ceos. On the environmental front, there is an expected 50 pc reduction in noise footprint and nitrogen oxide emissions as well as a reduction of 5,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide per year per aircraft.
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Rail is the new pièce de résistance of travel
Klook has seen a global shift in preference for rail travel with triple digit growth to May 2019, particularly in Europe. To support this growing trend, Klook has added rail tickets from over 31 European countries to its platform (including big ticket items such as the Eurail pass) giving customers access to over 15,000 destinations in Europe.
It is faster as rail generally runs city centre to city centre and you can turn up minutes before departure and save time like a flight from London to Paris will take nearly five hours of your day, while by rail you complete your trip within three hours! Also it is better for your skin as you travel at a humidity level much closer to what your skin loves instead of high altitudes. Founder and director at HydroSkincare, Parish Stapleton, recommends rail where possible, “It can take up to seven days for your skin to recover after a long-haul flight, and three to four days for short haul.” The Eurail Pass gives you access to 31 countries so there’s no need to dehydrate your skin any further once you’ve arrived in Europe.
When compared to flying, not only do trains produce less emissions, which is good for environment but also lets you have beautiful glimpses of Europe. With Klook, Europe travel becomes so much more than just the iconic. Travellers can take the ‘track’ less travelled and enjoy a more authentic European adventure.
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Two Cinnamon hotels secure Green Globe re-certifications
In recognition of their adherence to top eco-friendly strategies and global sustainability practices, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Bey Beruwala have once again received certifications from the Green Globe Initiative. Showcasing how the concept of eco-friendly luxury is the future of the hospitality industry, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala received its certification for the fifth consecutive year and has been awarded the highly-acclaimed ‘Gold’ status by Green Globe.
The Green Globe initiative recognises and awards corporate in the travel and tourism industry that demonstrate eco-friendly approaches, attitudes and practices that help steer their countries and businesses towards a green, pollution-free era. Both Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives demonstrated their ability to manage energy consumption, reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainable growth that aligns well with national and regional environmental goals.
Commenting on this achievement, Hishan Singhawansa, sector head, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, stated, “We are proud to have achieved Gold status from the Green Globe initiative. This is a meaningful milestone for our brand and it reiterates our commitment to maintaining world-class standards in sustainability. It is our obligation as a responsible industry partner to not only implement environmentally-friendly practices, but to also endorse them persistently to influence those around us.”
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Disneyland Paris pays tribute to a part of Indian culture in The Jungle Book Jive
This live show is an original Disneyland Paris creation performed in the heart of Disneyland Park. It revolves around four sequences, with the major highlight taking place on Central Plaza with a 360 degree show in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
There are nearly 70 characters and performers in the cast, including drummers coming especially from the state of Rajasthan, India. Ten Disney characters are part of the show- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Clarice, Baloo and King Louie.
Gigantic, colourful animals up to five metres high are used by artists as musical instruments. A team from Disneyland Paris spent several weeks in India, including the state of Rajasthan, to get inspiration and create the most immersive experience possible.
Iconic songs from The Jungle Book were specially orchestrated by American composer Roger Butterley, including ‘The Bare Necessities’, ‘I Wanna be Like You’ and ‘Trust in Me’. He also composed an exclusive song just for this show. It took two years to fully develop this new show, including a full month of rehearsals in-studio and in the park at night.
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Kids call the shots when it comes to planning summer vacations, says survey
As the summer break lingers, a new survey from Yas Island Abu Dhabi offers absolutely essential insights for the 84 pc of parents who said their children were the biggest influencing factor on their holiday.
Yas Island recently commissioned a survey to get into the minds of the summer experts themselves, the kids and the findings were remarkable! More than 2,000 children (aged 7-14) and their parents were surveyed across six countries in the GCC, Europe and Asia. Children were asked what they most liked about summer time, what their favourite vacation activities were and who they would take on their ultimate summer holiday.
Kids just want to get out and about; it seems, with the top three activities for children being travelling somewhere new (30 pc), waterparks (27 pc) and theme parks (25 pc). Also, while 41 pc said they simply wanted to do something exciting over the summer, one of the popular destinations for them was somewhere by the beach (17 pc).
Speaking of parents, when planning summer holidays, 47 pc said their top concern was finding a family-friendly destination and 24 pc highlighted cost as another major concern. However, in the end, no matter how families chose to fill their summer days, this survey indicated that what really matters most to both children and their parents was spending quality time together.
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