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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SKAL Kolkata FAM trip to China educates agents about group tours and MICE events
The Skal International Kolkata organised an educational FAM trip to Shanghai and Beijing recently in partnership with Thai Airways and Shangri La Hotels & Resorts. The idea was to experience and discover the luxury hotels like Jing An Shangri-La and Kerry Hotel Pudong in Shanghai first and then China World Hotel and Kerry Hotel in Beijing.
The Skal members also visited two other signature properties in Beijing - China World Summit Wing and Hotel Jen Beijing. While on the one hand China World Summit Wing holds a grandeur and aura to host the heads of states with government delegations on state visits, the adjacent Hotel Jen reflects a cool funky modern look and feel with vibrant but minimalistic colour scheme.
Though there are other carriers to China, this trip showed the focus Thai Airways is giving to the India market to explore and popularise newer routes via Bangkok. The hospitality at these hotels of Shangri-La displayed the capability of hosting large Indian groups with the best quality Indian food and openness to Indian style of events including weddings of any size and any other MICE activity. The agents were given a unique experience of high speed bullet Train ride from Shanghai to Beijing that took only 4.5 hours to cover the distance of 1,318 km.
"The Chinese culture, hospitality and food made our trip quite comfortable, educative and enjoyable. Agents came to know that the myth about Indian food being unavailable is not at all correct, rather we were taken to some of the most popular Indian budget restaurants as well where we can take the groups for lunch etc. while out in the road. Food is definitely the biggest concern when we travel with groups. Also with the destination offering more visibility, we think we could generate a lot more tourists from the eastern side of India because of close our close proximity and good connectivity," said Sanjeev Mehra, president, Skal International Club of Kolkata. While interacting with the owner of TOP VIEW, one of the leading DMC, agents came to know about many detailed information on how to operate group tours in China. They asked many questions and their queries were clarified.
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Thailand Tourism along with Go Air organises FAM trip
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi (TAT), in collaboration with Go Air, hosted 10 travel agents from Tier II and Tier III cities on a Trade FAM trip from August 26-29, 2019.
The focus was on a specific customer segment- Phuket as a family destination. The purpose of this trip was to acquaint the agents with services and offerings of Go Air, experience new and existing products of Phuket as a family destination and meet the sellers of Phuket directly through a B2B networking event.
TAT Phuket welcomed all the FAM participants and 30 buyers from Phuket to the Networking event with the stakeholders on August 26, 2019.
Isra Stapanaseth, TAT New Delhi director said, “We conduct FAM trips to Thailand every year, but this time we decided to invite our trade partners from Tier II and Tier III cities- Ranchi and Patna. We wanted to give them a first-hand experience of Phuket’s existing as well as new places and attractions. Thailand has welcomed around 1,142,944 Indians to Thailand between January to July, 2019, showing a remarkable increase of 24.50 pc. We consider Tier II and Tier III cities as prominent markets and we are sure these cities will help us increase the inbound at a large scale.”
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TTF Ahmedabad concludes with a 10 pc growth from last year
Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad 2019 concluded on a high note with response from over 9,000 visitors, registering a growth of 10 pc over the first two days from last year. With two full days reserved for B2B, over 6,000 travel trade visitors attended the show. The last day of the show saw a footfall of over 3,000 general visitors.
The three-day show in Ahmedabad kick-started business for the busy Diwali holiday season in the exhibition halls of Gujarat University on August 30, packed to the brim.
The show was inaugurated by Jenu Devan, IAS, managing director, Gujarat Tourism & commissioner, department of tourism, government of Gujarat along with Viranga Bandara, assistant director - marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and William Kalua, assistant deputy director of India, Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia.
Speaking to the media, Jenu Devan said, “I’m visiting TTF Ahmedabad for the last few years and the way they have received participation this year is very good. It’s through their constant effort that they have been able to get this increased participation. The tourism boards from the countries who have participated here have come with good delegation along with them. For Gujarat Tourism, around 20 participants are here along with us. I am very happy that they are selecting Ahmedabad as a platform for the exhibition for many years now and they have also started the TTF Summer in Ahmedabad which is a very good initiative. I hope that they continue this particular relationship for the years to come and I wish them all the very best.”
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Israel Tourism conducts a roadshow in Mumbai
Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) conducted a roadshow in Mumbai on August 27 to enhance commercial ties with the Indian travel trade fraternity. In an effort to retain the growth momentum of Indian arrivals to Israel, the team interacted with over 200 key travel and tour operators, MICE providers and up-market leisure operators. The event commenced with a presentation leading to an interactive session with the IMOT team. The roadshow included interactive B2B sessions, education programmes and workshops to aid trade members in planning itineraries and responding to customer queries. The Israeli delegation was led by the newly appointed director of Tourism for India & Philippines markets, Sammy Yahia along with Judah Samuel, director – marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India and included representative partners from the tourism industry of Israel.
Commenting on the roadshow, Sammy Yahia said, “The arrivals from India have exceeded expectations in the last few years and we have seen the same trend in 2019. India currently stands third in Asia among the top source markets for Israel. While keeping the current momentum going, the idea is to aggressively work towards increasing connectivity between India & Israel by introducing new airlines to service the route. I am delighted with this new position and foresee ample opportunities for us to push boundaries and reinvent the ever evolving and dynamic Indian traveller”.
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PATA and Binumi strengthen organisational partnership
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), a not-for-profit membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry, has bolstered its partnership with Binumi, a video ecosystem platform empowering individuals and businesses to create and share compelling video content that can build opportunity and growth for their business.
Through the newly formed content partnership PATA will work together with Binumi to develop more robust video communications as well as a video marketing strategy, allowing the Association the ability to control and scale branded video content to its vast member network and beyond.
“PATA is pleased to bolster its partnership with Binumi and begin moving forward on enhancing our video communications and marketing activities”, said PATA CEO Mario Hardy. “PATA has an over 60-year legacy of technical and social innovation, and this partnership with Binumi is another crucial step along that journey. By enabling our team members to take part in creating and sharing PATA branded video content, we will be putting ourselves firmly at the forefront of both communications, marketing and social empowerment.”
“Binumi is thrilled to be working with PATA”, said Anthony Copping, CEO and founder of Binumi. “Our mission has always been to enable everyone within an organisation to take part in video creation and communications, in a secure and managed way. We will be working closely with PATA to develop not only the perfect video ecosystem for their needs, but to support all PATA members in taking control of their travel and cultural video storytelling.”
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Messe Berlin appoints IGCC as event organiser for ITB India
Messe Berlin, one of the top trade fair and event organisers worldwide, announced its cooperation with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) for organising the inaugural ITB India for the year 2020. The cooperation was formalised in Berlin, Germany, by Dirk Hoffmann, chief financial officer of Messe Berlin, Martin Buck, senior vice-president, Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin and Bernhard Steinrücke, director general of IGCC. Messe Berlin (Singapore) will be supporting in organising this premier event in India.
“Our intention was to introduce the strong and successful ITB brand to the Indian market. We are pleased to have the vast network and expertise of IGCC at our side, which has over 60 years of experience in developing markets in India. ITB India is the product of our strategic partnership. Together we will establish ITB India as the leading travel trade show in India”, said Dirk Hoffmann.
“We’re proud to be supporting Messe Berlin in organising its premier event in the Indian market. As ITB is a renowned international brand, we’re delighted to be a key partner and together, make ITB India the leading travel trade event for the India market”, commented Bernhard Steinrücke.
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Buenos Aires joins WTO network of tourism observatories
Buenos Aires has become the latest city to join the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), a pioneering initiative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aimed at helping destinations manage tourism in a smart and sustainable manner.
This latest INSTO member – the first in Argentina – brings the total number of observatories in the global network to 27. Joining INSTO will help the Tourism Observatory of Buenos Aires better monitor the environmental and social impacts of tourism at the local level. Data collected by the observatory will be used to strengthen the sustainability of the city’s tourism sector and help guide policy and decision making.
“By becoming the latest member of our dynamic INSTO network, the city of Buenos Aires once again demonstrates its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism,” says UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili. “Thanks to the pioneering work of the Observatory, Buenos Aires is benefitting from an evidence-based approach to tourism policies and I am confident that our newest member will make a positive contribution to our growing INSTO network.”
Gonzalo Robredo, president of the Buenos Aires Tourism Board, adds, “By joining the INSTO Network, we reinforce our commitment to maximising the benefits of the tourism activity in the city of Buenos Aires, not only from an economic perspective, but with a focus on the cultural, social and environmental dimensions of tourism.”
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Thomas Cook sells majority stake to Chinese shareholder Fosun
Travel firm Thomas Cook has agreed to a rescue deal with major investor Fosun Tourism Group, its banks and a majority of its senior noteholders. The new deal would see Fosun taking majority stake of the business.
Fosun will put in USD 549 million to acquire at least 75 pc of the equity of the tour operator and 25 pc of the group’s airline, said the travel firm in a statement. In its July 12 announcement, Thomas Cook said that shareholders may be given the opportunity to participate in the recapitalisation by way of investment alongside Fosun and converting senior creditors on terms to be agreed.
The company added in its statement that the board continues to proceed on the basis that a recapitalisation, achieved with the support of shareholders, is the preferred means of securing the future of the group for all its stakeholders, while at the same time enabling the existing shareholders to continue to retain an investment in the company.
However, the recapitalisation is expected to result in existing shareholders’ interests in the recapitalised and reorganised group airline being significantly diluted, subject to feedback from creditors, the new money providers and other stakeholders, said the company.
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Abu Dhabi Family Week programme to bring the best in kids' entertainment
A 10-day programme of fun-packed, educational events dedicated to children's and family entertainment has been announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Under the title Abu Dhabi Family Week, the festival will run from September 19-28 and will include the Pinkfong Baby Shark Live Musical and the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019, the first time the globally renowned awards ceremony will be staged in the Middle East.
"Abu Dhabi Family Week's series of exciting experiences is geared to strengthen the reputation of Abu Dhabi as a global leader for family-friendly events, and as a destination that delivers the best in entertainment and activities to visitors and residents alike," said Saeed Al Saeed, destination marketing director at DCT Abu Dhabi.
"Bringing Viacom's Nickelodeon, one of the biggest children's brands in the world, here to Abu Dhabi is hugely significant; particularly with such high-profile international participants as Jason Derulo. This and the other events, from mall and dining activations to science fairs and musical performances, will prove to be unforgettable and will no doubt help boost visitor numbers to the emirate."
Aside from the flagship children's entertainment event, another highlight will be a fun-packed show by South Korean education company Pinkfong, which features the worldwide singalong smash Baby Shark, taking place from September 26 - 28 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
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Taiwan attracts Indian-Muslims with its new halal certified restaurants
Taiwan may be known for producing some of the best street food, but did you know that the island is a gastronomical haven for Indian food as well? Indian-Muslims have options too as at present, more than 10 Indian restaurants in Taiwan have received halal certification.
Mayur Indian Kitchen, one of the biggest Indian restaurant chains in Taipei, serves 14 different types of cuisine from all over India. Not only is the chain halal-certified, its restaurants also boast an impressive vegetarian menu. For an elevated dining experience, check out Saffron 46 and Joseph Bistro. Located on the 46th level of Nanshan Plaza facing Taipei 101, Saffron 46 offers innovative Indian dishes grounded in traditional cooking techniques, while Joseph Bistro is the first Bib Gourmand restaurant in Taipei to serve Indian food. It is also the first of its kind to offer farm-to-table dining — head chef Joseph Elias Vaz grows the curry leaves and many of the spices in the dishes.
Budget-friendly Flavor of India is known for creative dishes at affordable prices. For quality curry dishes, you won’t want to miss The Spice Shop. Be sure to try classic favourites like butter and masala chicken, tandoori chicken and the lamb curries.
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Jordan unveils its Underwater Military Museum in Aqaba
Jordan unveiled its Underwater Military Museum and it is an adventure that will leave you breathless! Take a swim in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea and explore the offerings of 19 fascinating relics of battles.
The military machines are stationed along the coral reefs imitating a battle tactical formation, that have formed the most exciting underwater escapade, intriguing divers and snorkelers to discover more and more of the dive site.
After 30 days of scanning, photographing and planning, the blueprints for scuttling were ready, and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) started sinking the 19 military items in only seven working days, while ensuring that the whole process is not affecting the surrounding marine organisms. The formation consisted of tanks of different sizes, an ambulance, a military crane, a troop carrier, an anti-aircraft, guns and a combat helicopter.
ASEZA gave a great attention to the environmental effects of the scuttling and made all measures to ensure the protection and safety of the marine environment in cooperation with all concerned and relevant authorities and associations. Before the sinking all hazardous materials were removed to comply with the environmental best practices.
The location of the museum also promotes the recovery of the natural reefs as it relieves pressure on them by drawing visitors away to an alternative site.
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Indian celebrities live it up in South Korea!
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Busan Tourism Organization, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization and Gimhae Tourism Organization recently hosted celebrities from India -- Tanya Sharma, Kanika Mann and India TV Anchor Charul Malik.
Tanya Sharma has been in the industry for almost a decade while Kanika Mann started her career in the Punjabi movie industry and made her TV drama debut through the ongoing television series and has millions of followers on social media channels like Instagram and TikTok. Charul Malik is a leading news anchor, journalist, executive editor and an actor. The trio had a great time and the holiday was nothing short of spectacular.
South Korea is a vibrant, pristine country which offers a plethora of activities the tourists from all over the world. The landscape varies from modernized world-class cities to lush green natural foliage. Main tourist attractions include different palaces, temples, natural hot springs, national parks, mountains, skiing facilities, amusement parks and shopping districts.
South Korea is gaining popularity amongst Indians as a tourist destination, owing to increasing connecting flights, simplified visa process, shopping, sightseeing, night-life, cuisine and culture.
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