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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Dubai Tourism conducts three-city roadshow in India
The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently organised a roadshow in three Indian cities- Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Mumbai– to strengthen relationships with the leading travel agents and tour operators to boost the number of Indian tourists to Dubai as part of the 2019 marketing strategy of Dubai Tourism.
With India topping the chart of the leading source markets for Dubai, Rashed Al Matrooshi, senior associate, international operations, Dubai Tourism said, “Dubai is currently the fourth most visited city in the world and the number one destination for tourists as well as in top ten cities for hotels and resorts. Year-on-year we have seen a steady growth and India has been the highest market of visitors in 2018.”
Along with presenting the Dubai Expert game, an interactive training platform for travel partners, the Emirates also presented new attractions, schemes and offers to attract more travellers from India. Dubai Tourism has also extended free visa to Indian tourists below the age of 18 to further smoothen the travel process and this offering is set to be extended annually from July 15-September 15.
The roadshows witnessed participation from key Dubai Tourism stakeholders, including Emaar Hospitality, Atlantis, Jumeirah, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Costa Cruises, Expo2020 to enhance networking and relationship building in the Indian market.
Dubai Expo 2020 announced hosting 192 countries, including India, over 173 days to showcase newer destinations and their offerings to attract tourists across genres. The World Expo is expected to be held in Dubai between October 20, 2020-April 10, 2021.
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SriLankan Airlines welcomes free visa on arrival facility to 48 countries
SriLankan Airlines welcomes the launch of the free visa on arrival facility that the Government of Sri Lanka is providing to citizens of 48 countries in Australasia, Europe and North America from August 1 for a period of six months as part of a concerted effort to boost tourism into the Indian Ocean island nation.
Sri Lanka’s National Carrier is in the forefront of global initiatives to strengthen the country’s tourism industry, working with a multitude of partners ranging from Sri Lanka Tourism to hotels, tour operators and travel agents.
Travellers availing themselves of this facility could travel with Sri Lanka’s national carrier on its fleet of modern aircraft with the latest comforts such as flatbeds in business class and sophisticated in-flight entertainment that complement its world class service. The airline has won a string of recent international awards including ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ at the World Travel Awards and ‘Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ at World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia.
A member of the oneworld global airline partnership, SriLankan Airlines operates a route network of 111 cities in 48 countries from its hub in Colombo and also connects to over 1,000 cities in 160 countries through its oneworld partner airlines.
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New LOT service between New Delhi and Warsaw
LOT Polish Airlines, Poland’s flag carrier will launch a new non-stop service between Warsaw and New Delhi, commencing on September 17, 2019. Like all LOT long-haul flights, the new route will be operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner five times per week.
The new route launch will provide the shortest and most convenient connection from New Delhi directly to the centrally located hub in Warsaw as well as access to many central, eastern and western European cities.
"The long-awaited flight between Poland and India is becoming a fact. I am pleased to announce that this magnificent destination is being added to LOT’s growing network. This is a great moment in our 90-year history and evidence of our dynamic development," said Rafał Milczarski, CEO of LOT. “Poland, located in the very heart of Europe will be a gateway for Indian passengers, enabling access to various destinations across Europe. The potential for this flight is huge - over 8.9 million passengers travelled between India and Europe in 2017,” he adds.
On September 22, 2019 LOT expanding on its Budapest network, is going to launch non-stop long-haul flights to Seoul and on March 30 next year it is going to launch six new destinations - Sofia, Prague, Belgrade, Stuttgart, Bucharest and Brussels, thereby operating 12 routes from Budapest.
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Seawings introduces experiential journeys for quick getaways in UAE
Seawings, the luxury seaplane tour operator in the Middle East offering aerial tours and charters within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the launch of experiential journey for quick getaways in the UAE – day excursions and holidays by private seaplane with your friends and family.
Each carefully selected tailor-made experiential journey is an ultimate offering for a quick family vacation in the region. Seawings has selected a unique collection of tours and excursions combining comfort and luxury. Guests can create memorable itineraries with the best private luxury journeys across the UAE on a seaplane.
At the launch of this experiential journey for family vacations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Stuart Wheeler, CEO, Seawings LLC said, “We are delighted to introduce an ultimate family adventure holiday option for well-heeled and matured luxury Indian travellers who seek to indulge in short getaways in style. We aim to showcase the best in the UAE helping our guests to create exhilarating itineraries with the best private luxury journeys across the UAE with our seaplane.”
Whisking passengers to 1500 feet, the route soars past the iconic city skylines, offering sublime views of the country’s architectural marvels. Seawings remains the only seaplane operator in the UAE with its fleet growing to five Cessna 208 amphibian aircrafts. Taking off from Dubai Creek adds an evocative sense of aviation history to the trip.
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Hard Rock continues legacy in London with Hard Rock Hotel opening
Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos celebrate a historic moment by announcing the opening of Hard Rock Hotel London. The property is Hard Rock’s first hotel in the United Kingdom and continues the brand’s legacy in its original birthplace.
“Blending the DNA of the Hard Rock brand with London’s musical culture creates a memorable experience for all guests to enjoy,” said Ian Fletcher, general manager, Hard Rock Hotel London, “We’re excited to showcase the property’s unique offerings and signature brand amenities to visitors and locals alike — they won’t be able to find anywhere else like it in the UK.”
As part of a partnership with London’s largest hotel owner-operator, GLH, the hotel boasts 900 stylish rooms and suites, along with a Rock Royalty Lounge, GMT Bar, a Hard Rock Cafe, a cocktail bar and a Rock Shop.
“Every Hard Rock Hotel property is one-of-a-kind, but this one represents something special for the brand. This hotel is the culmination of three concepts – the cafes, hotels and Rock Shops – coming together as one in an open-lobby, community-driven environment with Hard Rock’s memorabilia as the design thread binding them together. It’s truly incredible,” said Dale Hipsh, senior vice-president, Hard Rock Hotels.
Legendary memorabilia is sprinkled throughout the property, telling the story of London’s rich musical history, like a letter written in 1958 by the late Buddy Holly, while he stayed at the hotel that is now Hard Rock Hotel London or the Kirkwood piano Queen’s legendary singer, Freddie Mercury practiced on as a teenager.
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The REACH at the Kennedy Centre in DC to open with free 16-day festival
This fall, artists and audiences from the Washington, DC area, the US and around the globe come together at the nation’s cultural capital to dance, sing, create, collaborate, listen, learn, talk, share, and celebrate the opening of the REACH, the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts’ new expansion. At a preview event on May 29, which marks both President Kennedy’s 102nd birthday and 100 days until the historic opening, the Kennedy Centre unveiled preliminary details of the free 16-day REACH Opening Festival on September 7–22.
Built for active participation and access, the REACH brings visitors directly into the creative process. From master-classes and workshops to dance parties and DJ sets, the Opening Festival will offer a glimpse of the varied and interactive ways that visitors will be able to experience art at the REACH. With more than 400 free events planned, the multi-genre, multidisciplinary festival features participatory performances, interactive installations, hands-on learning activities, and more, with local and national headliners.
Kennedy Centre’s president Deborah F Rutter explained, “The REACH’s unique design will inspire a wide population to share and own their arts experiences. Building on the Kennedy Centre’s rich ongoing programming portfolio to reflect the art of our entire nation, the Opening Festival celebrates all art forms and encourages participation, immersion, learning, and discovery.”
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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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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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