Tourism

Pernem. October 3, 2025: The year-end peak tourism season in Goa commenced on a high note with the arrival of the first charter flight from Novosibirsk, Russia, at Manohar International Airport, Mopa. The guests were welcomed with the traditional Goan hospitality with cultural performances. This season will witness the introduction of three new weekly flights from Novosibirsk, Russia, landing at Manohar International Airport (MOPA). These additional services, together with the existing flights from Yekaterinburg and Moscow, increase Aeroflot’s operations to nine flights per week.The second 158 seater charter flight from Novosibirsk will land in Goa on 3 October at 06:00 AM. Yekaterinburg will connect to Goa with B737-800 flights carrying 158 passengers each, arriving on 4 October at 06:05 AM and again on 5 October at 08:05 AM. Adding further capacity, a direct service from Moscow on the larger A330-300 aircraft, offering 296 seats, is scheduled to arrive on 5 October at 09:00 AM. Expanding beyond Russia, international connectivity will be further enhanced as charter flights from Kazakhstan commence operations to Goa from 25 October 2025.The expanded network is expected to significantly increase the flow of international tourists into the state, particularly during the high-demand year-end season. This development opens new avenues for inbound tourism, diversifying source markets and strengthening Goa’s global reach. With more frequent connections, the charter flights will play a vital role in boosting tourist arrivals, supporting the state’s hospitality sector, and creating wider economic opportunities for local businesses. Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte stated: “Goa is ready to welcome tourists with open arms as we step into a vibrant new season. The arrival of the first charter flight reaffirms Goa’s position as a preferred global destination. With enhanced safety, infrastructure, and immersive experiences, we are committed to ensuring that every visitor feels the warmth of Goan hospitality while discovering the unique blend of culture, traditions, and natural beauty our state offers” Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, added : “The arrival of the first charter flights signals stronger connectivity for Goa, especially as we step into the peak season. This growth opens new opportunities for our local tourism stakeholders, from hospitality to transport, and ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared widely across the state.” The Department of Tourism continues to work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that all incoming flights are met with organized arrivals, enhanced passenger services, and a warm Goan welcome. The 2025–26 charter season is expected to further boost international tourism, contributing to the state’s economy and promoting sustainable, inclusive growth across communities.

Delhi, 25th September 2025: One Rep Global in partnership with Courchevel Tourisme has conducted its four-city roadshow across India exclusively curated for the Indian luxury travel segment. The event hosted in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad created a bespoke platform for India’s top-tier travel specialists to experience Courchevel’s unique positioning as a pinnacle of alpine luxury. The event highlights included the popular location of Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest ski area, along with its constellation of Michelin-starred dining, ultra-luxury chalets, exclusive designer boutiques, and the renowned hotels. At the event, delegation from Courchevel—comprising hoteliers and ski school directors also presented the various offerings of their respective products. Alexia Laine, Director, Courchevel Tourisme, said,” India is an incredibly important market for us, and this year we wanted to elevate our presence. The overwhelming response reaffirmed that Indian travellers are seeking more than luxury—they want authenticity, gastronomy, and experiences that connect them with culture. Courchevel delivers all of this at the highest standard.” Hemant Mediratta, Founder & CEO of One Rep Global, added,”India’s appetite for unique and experiential luxury travel is at an all-time high, and the French Alps epitomize aspirational journeys. With this roadshow, our goal was not only to showcase a destination, but to craft a compelling narrative and forge impactful partnerships. By bringing the essence of Courchevel directly to our travel community, we have sparked excitement and laid the foundation for significant growth from India.” As Courchevel prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, with this roadshow, it has established a strong foundation for deeper engagement with India’s luxury travel community.

Moscow, May 19th 2025: Starting from now, Indian travellers to Moscow can obtain the Tourist Card at the new travel and banking office of Sber, the largest Russian bank, located in the city center, not far from the Red Square — on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street. The new travel and banking office of Sber combines the capabilities of Sber’s banking office and a Tourist Information Center, which is multifunctional space for guests of the capital where tourists can get essential information for their visit to Moscow. Right here travelers can pick up the plastic Tourist card, make necessary payments, currency exchanges and transfers. Consultations are possible in several languages — the Tourist Information Center specialists speak Russian, English and Arabic, while the Sber bank employees speak Russian and English. At new space tourists can also create an individual travel plan based on their personal preferences and take free booklets with information about the city. The booklets are also provided in several languages — Russian, English, Chinese and Arabic. The travel and banking Sber office provides a lounge area where tourists can rest, try traditional Moscow treats, taste some selections from The Moscow Tea Shop. While adults are planning their itinerary, kids can play in the children’s zone that was created jointly with the animation studio “Soyuzmultfilm”, which gave the world legendary Soviet cartoons. The Tourist Card operates with Russian MIR payment system and it is a new payment solution that helps foreign visitors make cashless payments, as VISA and Mastercard do not work in Russia. The Tourist Card is compatible with local merchants, public transport, and attractions. With no monthly maintenance fees, it’s a cost-effective choice for tourists, allowing seamless payments for dining, transportation, and more. Travelers can register for a Yoomoney profile and obtain a virtual Tourist Card before leaving their home country. The process requires only a phone number — no Russian SIM card is needed—making it accessible for international visitors. It is also possible to order the card in advance and have it delivered by mail to their home country or a hotel, though a physical card isn’t always necessary, as most places in Moscow allow payments using QR codes through the YooMoney app. Android users can add the card to Yoomoney Pay in the mobile app and pay by tapping their phone via NFC. For iOS users, payments can be made by scanning QR codes through the app — a widely accepted method across the country. Once in Moscow, the card can be topped up with cash at ATMs that support Yoomoney, providing a straightforward way to add funds using local currency. This initiative comes at a time when Moscow has witnessed a substantial influx of foreign guests. For example, nearly 86,000 tourists visited Moscow from India in 2024, representing a 1.4-fold increase compared to 2023. This significant uptick in international arrivals underscores the city’s evolving status as a premier global travel destination.

New Delhi,29th April 2025: Magnicity has appointed AVIAREPS India as its official Sales, Marketing, and PR representative to strengthen brand visibility and engagement in the Indian market. With India’s outbound tourism projected to become the 5th largest globally by 2027, this partnership aims to strategically expand Magnicity’s presence across key source cities in India. Magnicity offers visitors more than just spectacular panoramic views. Alongside immersive storytelling and multi-sensory experiences, guests can also enjoy carefully curated culinary offerings that complement their journey through the city’s culture, architecture, and history — creating unforgettable moments beyond the skyline. Alexia Vettier, CEO of Magnicity, said,”We are excited to strengthen our presence in the Indian market, a country known for its vibrant and curious travellers. This collaboration marks the beginning of our expansion plans into Asia, and we look forward to welcoming more Indian visitors to our global locations.” Ellona Pereira, General Manager, AVIAREPS India, added,”We are delighted to represent Magnicity, a brand that transforms sightseeing into a storytelling journey. With India’s deep-rooted appreciation for culture and immersive experiences, Magnicity’s philosophy will truly resonate with Indian travellers, enhancing their journeys with unforgettable moments and unique perspectives at every destination.” Celebrating its 50th anniversary last year, Magnicity — founded in France in 1974 — has expanded its global presence by utilizing iconic observation spaces atop towering landmarks. The brand now operates across 6 renowned sites: Paris Montparnasse Observatory in France, Berliner Fernsehturm in Germany, 360 Chicago in the USA, Euromast and Celest’ in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Highline Warsaw coming up in 2025, Poland. Through this partnership, AVIAREPS India will implement targeted sales initiatives, strategic media outreach, and industry collaborations to position Magnicity as a must-visit experience for Indian FIT and MICE travellers alike.

Dubai, 28th April 2025: Emirates has signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the first day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the Tourism Boards of Sharjah, The Philippines, Maldives, Visit Britain, Thailand, Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO), Uganda and Hungary. These agreements demonstrate the airline’s commitment to attract more travellers across its extensive network of more than 140 destinations to experience each locale’s distinctive sights, culture and attractions, as well as boosting tourism to the wider UAE through strategic collaborations. Emirates and Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Authority (SCTDA), will work together to jointly promote tourism and boost visitor arrivals to the UAE emirate of Sharjah.The new partnership, which takes effect today, will see Emirates and SCTDA explore and implement promotional activities and offer bespoke packages for tour operators and the wider travel trade in key markets. Emirates and SCTDA will also explore opportunities to create unique products and packages marketed directly to Emirates’ customers via ‘Dubai Experience’ on the airline’s website. This is in addition to advertising and cross promotional marketing campaigns, familiarisation programmes for travel trade and media, as well as promotional competitions aimed to encourage visits to Sharjah as part of their overall UAE holiday. Emirates and the Department of Tourism Philippines will work to promote the Southeast Asian nation and help drive inbound tourist flows, particularly from the Middle East and Europe. Both entities will explore avenues of cooperation across marketing and advertising to further boost visitor traffic to the Philippines, in addition to organising familiarisation trips for media and key tourism stakeholders from European and Middle Eastern markets. Emirates and the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation for the Republic of the Maldives will collaborate to attract more visitors to the archipelago nation through the airline’s global network. The strategic partnership underscores Emirates’ commitment to promoting tourism to the destination, which has been part of its West Asian and Indian Ocean network since 1987. Emirates will promote the Maldives in key markets across its global network through joint advertising campaigns, familiarisation trips, customised travel packages, as well as activate tour operators and travel agencies. The airline will also support the development of business and trade opportunities in the Maldives, via its cargo-handling capabilities. Emirates has signed a declaration of intent with VisitBritain to boost inbound tourism to the UK, including key strategic markets across the Middle East, Far East Asia and Australasia. Under the agreement, Emirates and VisitBritain will explore joint promotions and tactical efforts, familiarisation trips to the UK for media and travel agents; and support other promotional activities that will increase travel demand to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. According to VisitBritain’s forecast, the UK is expected to welcome 43.4 million visits in 2025. Playing a vital role in supporting this growth, Emirates operates 133 weekly flights to/from the UK across eight gateways. Emirates and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have established a new strategic partnership aimed at driving inbound tourism from the airline’s global network to Thailand.Emirates and TAT will collaborate on a range of marketing and promotional initiatives to highlight Thailand’s appeal as a premier destination. The partnership will include joint advertising campaigns, familiarisation trips for key media representatives, and joint efforts with travel agents and tour operators to offer promotional packages, giveaways, and incentives across Emirates’ key markets. Emirates has pledged its support to help grow tourism demand with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) between Japan and the Middle East. The partnership will include a series of data sharing, joint analyses and potential promotional campaigns to drive awareness and visitation to Japan.   Building on a successful year of collaboration, Emirates and Uganda Tourism Board have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2025. With a focus on driving inbound tourism to Uganda, the partnership underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to market Uganda as a premier tourist destination. Since signing the MoU in 2024, Emirates and the Uganda Tourism Board have hosted familiarisation trips for key trade partners, hoteliers, travel agency partners and tour operators, who are instrumental in driving awareness of the destination worldwide. Emirates has also noted a 16% uptick in passengers on the Dubai-Entebbe route, since January 2025. Emirates and Visit Hungary will work together to boost inbound tourism to the country. Under the agreement, Emirates and Visit Hungary will drive joint marketing and advertising campaigns to showcase Hungary’s touristic appeal. The two partners will also work closely to organise familiarisation trips for media and travel agents, as well as support other promotional campaigns to increase travel demand to Budapest.

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has announced that it will be conducting its 6th convention in the beautiful city of Moscow. The convention is scheduled to take place from 10th July to 13th July 2025 and is expected to attract approximately 180 delegates from across India. Recently, the core members of OTOAI held a conference in New Delhi where they announced the plans to host the 6th Convention of OTOAI in Moscow. The conference also had the presence of foreign dignitaries from the Moscow City Tourism Committee and Russian Embassy (India) marking a significant milestone in strengthening tourism ties between India and Russia, which shares a deep bonding and friendly as well as diplomatic relations. The event was attended by approximately 50 tourism stakeholders including members of OTOAI executive committee, delegates from the Moscow City Tourism Committee and prominent media representatives. These distinguished representatives captivated attendees with compelling insights into Moscow’s world-class attractions, from its iconic architectural treasures to exclusive cultural experiences specifically curated for the discerning Indian travel fraternity. The conference comprised presentations highlighting Moscow’s stunning architectural marvels, rich cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. Views of the Spokesperson Addressing the gathering, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI said, “This convention represents a pivotal moment in India-Russia tourism relations. Moscow stands out as a perfect blend of historical grandeur and contemporary sophistication – precisely what Indian travellers are seeking today. As global travel patterns evolve, our partnership with Moscow City Tourism Committee will enable Indian tourists to explore beyond the traditional destinations. Through this convention, we aim to create a framework for increased tourism exchanges benefiting operators from both nations, positioning Moscow as a premier destination in India’s outbound tourism portfolio.” The gathering was presided over by Shravan Bhalla, Convention Chairman, alongside Monia Kapoor as the Co-Chairman for the Convention. Shravan Bhalla presented a detailed framework of the upcoming convention’s structure and agenda. The B2B interactions facilitated valuable networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for an enhanced and long-term partnership between Indian outbound tour operators and their Moscow counterparts. A significant milestone of the conference was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, and Shravan Bhalla, Convention Chairman, OTOAI, symbolising the commitment to strengthening tourism ties. Further, Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the convention in partnership with OTOAI stating, “We are honoured that the 6th convention will be held in Moscow. Holding such a major event in the heart of our capital is testimony to the fact that relations between India and Moscow continue to expand and strengthen. We see this as a great potential and from our side will continue to work towards developing our city’s tourism offerings. Business travellers in Moscow enjoy top-notch conference venues, modern transportation, and a vibrant social scene. The capital provides a truly high level of comfort, safety and cultural heritage for leisure travellers to enjoy as well as unique venues and unparalleled experiences for sophisticated MICE travellers.” The Event Schedule The convention, scheduled to take place from 10th July to 13th July 2025 in Moscow, is expected to attract approximately 180 delegates from across India. The program will feature comprehensive business sessions, B2B networking opportunities, destination showcases, and cultural experiences. The post-convention tour will allow delegates to visit St. Petersburg for a period of 3 nights, which in July offers a captivating blend of vibrant city life and the magic of the White Nights. Historic palaces and cathedrals, canals and bridges, parks and gardens, all appear transformed under the soft, lingering light. Whether exploring iconic landmarks or discovering hidden gems, St. Petersburg in July is an unforgettable experience, blending historical grandeur with a modern, energetic pulse. Flight Options & Visa: Russian carrier, Aeroflot operates daily flights from various cities of India including capital city New Delhi to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) in Moscow. Other Middle East based airlines like Emirates, and Air Arabia also operates flights with good connectivity with layover in Dubai and Sharjah respectively. The flight time between India and Moscow ranges between 6-7 hours with a direct flight service. Indians are also eligible for e-visa( Business and Tourist) which can be procured in 3-4 working days. (Aviation World Online)   

New Delhi, 16 April 2025: The first edition of the India Travel & Tourism Sustainability Conclave, organised by MakeMyTrip Foundation and World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII), was held in New Delhi bringing together over 30 credible voices from government, industry, and civil society. Inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & Culture, the day-long conclave served as a platform to align on a shared sustainability agenda for Indian travel & tourism sector featuring five sectoral discussions covering hospitality, aviation, mobility, climate action and responsible tourism. At the event,the launch of the Sustainable Hospitality Handbook was done, developed by the Hotel Association of India (HAI) in collaboration with MakeMyTrip. The handbook offers hotels a practical framework to adopt environmentally responsible practices across energy, water, waste, and community impact. It draws on globally recognized methodologies and Indian case studies, aiming to make sustainability implementation accessible across the hospitality spectrum. Further, the MakeMyTrip Foundation and WTTCII will work towards developing a report on sustainable travel & tourism in India. The document will draw on the insights and priorities surfaced at the Conclave to outline a roadmap for action. Addressing the Conclave, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Government of India, said “We need more such platforms that bring the tourism ecosystem together for a meaningful dialogue on sustainability I am happy to see the MakeMyTrip Foundation and WTTCII take the lead in facilitating these conversations, and hope to see outcomes from today inform how the sector grows in the years ahead.” Deep Kalra, Chair, World Travel & Tourism Council, India Chapter and Managing Trustee, MakeMyTrip Foundation, said: “As we think about the future of India’s travel & tourism sector, it is clear that sustainability cannot remain a peripheral concern. It must be embedded at the very core of how we envision growth of businesses. This will require greater alignment between policy, industry, and implementation at the grassroot level. Through this Conclave, our endeavour was to move beyond conversation and focus on action. The Sustainable Hospitality Handbook is a step in that direction, and the proposed report will help carry the momentum forward.” “It was encouraging to see the Conclave bring together so many strong voices to focus not just on why sustainability matters, but how we can act on it. The Sustainable Hospitality Handbook is intended to support that effort by offering practical and adaptable guidance. It is designed to support hotels of all sizes in embracing more conscious practices, and we hope it inspires wider adoption across the sector.” said K.B. Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India Discussions across the day covered a broad range of priorities—from decarbonising aviation and electrifying public transport to reducing resource use in hotels and building more resilient local economies. These sessions were shaped by real-world perspectives from leaders at Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, ITC, IHCL, Lemon Tree, Sarovar Hotels, GreenCell, Chalo, Momentum India, IIM Lucknow, TERI and sustainability body such as GSTC, each bringing practical insight into how sustainability can be scaled across different segments of Indian travel. The strong participation at the Conclave underscored a growing consensus: sustainability is no longer a peripheral conversation, but a defining priority for how Indian travel and tourism sector must evolve. With actionable tools in motion and a roadmap underway, the event marked a meaningful step towards aligning ambition with implementation.