Travel Span

We are delighted to announce the signing of a resort in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. This greenfield project will be under the Gateway brand. Prayagraj, with its deep-rooted cultural and religious importance, has been a prominent destination for pilgrims and leisure tourists alike. This signing aligns with our strategy of penetrating emerging markets in Tier II and III cities. True to its ethos, the 150-key Gateway Prayagraj seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with local architectural influences. #IHCL #Prayagraj #NewSigning #UttarPradesh #Greenfield #GatewayHotels

SAUDI AIRLINES partners with QuadLabs to Enhance B2B Business Travel Solutions. Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has formed a strategic alliance with QuadLabs, a prominent provider of travel technology, to introduce a cutting-edge B2B travel solution for corporate clients. This solution aims to transform the business travel experience for companies in the region. The partnership represents a key advancement in corporate travel management by integrating QuadLabs’ innovative technology with Saudia’s exceptional service and vast network. The new solution is designed to cater specifically to business travelers, offering an all-in-one platform that simplifies and optimizes the travel management process. Gaurav Chiripal Kuldeep Sharma #travel #technology

Centara Hotels & Resorts Achieves Dual Honours at IAA Awards for Listed Companies 2024 CENTRAL PLAZA HOTEL PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED (CENTEL), Thailand’s leading hotel and restaurant operator, proudly announces its recognition at the IAA Awards for Listed Companies 2024, hosted by the Investment Analysts Association. This year, the company received two esteemed accolades, underscoring its commitment to excellence and innovation within the hospitality industry. CENTEL was honoured with the following prestigious awards: Outstanding CFO for Gun Srisompong, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President - Finance and Administration, and Outstanding Investor Relations, reflecting the company’s dedication to fostering transparent and effective communication stakeholders. Thirayuth Chirathivth, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts, stated, “These accolades celebrate our relentless pursuit of excellence and our focus on maintaining high operational standards and strong relationships with our investors. We remain committed to expanding our reach in Thailand and internationally, aiming to establish Centara as one of the top 100 hotel operators in the world by increasing our presence in key markets and ensuring our business practices align with our sustainability goals.” Moumita Mukherjee Paul Hemant Jagtap #travel

The Louisiana Office of Tourism Organizes its first Sales Mission in India The Louisiana Office of Tourism, the official tourism promotional agency for the state of Louisiana, USA, organized its first mission to India from September 23 to 27, 2024 in Mumbai and New Delhi. The objective of this mission was to increase destination awareness amongst the travel and media on the diverse range of tourism offerings available for potential Indian visitors. The mission was led by Billy Nungesser, Governor of Louisiana state, and Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, along with Louisiana’s partners Visit Lake Charles, New Orleans & Company, and Mississippi River Country. Visitor numbers from India to the USA continue to set new records. After the rapid recovery in visitor arrivals in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic numbers, there has been an impressive growth of 35% in arrivals to the USA between January- July 2024, making India the second-largest overseas market for the USA. Louisiana, with its cultural experiences, unique local cuisines, music & entertainment, outdoors, and vibrant festivals, is a perfect extension for Indians planning a holiday in the US. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Market Development Cooperator Program, the expansion to the India market includes collaboration with U.S. Commercial Services and the U.S. Embassy as part of the International Travel Office's efforts. Louisiana is conveniently located in the Southeastern region of the United States and is easily accessible from major gateway cities of New York, Newark, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, making it a great addition to any USA itinerary. The primary gateway to Louisiana by air is New Orleans, with its newly renovated Louis Armstrong International Airport, facilitating easy access from all important Indian outbound cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. In 2024, Louisiana is celebrating the "Year of Music," highlighting its rich musical heritage as the birthplace of Jazz, Cajun, and Zydeco forms of music. This campaign aims to attract visitors from around the world by showcasing the state's vibrant and unique musical legacy. “We’re very excited to have continued our work in India,” said Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism. “The Indian traveler is looking for the kind of authentic experiences, amazing music and delicious food that Louisiana is known for. We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors from India to our great state.” Sheema Vohra Arpita Sinha Sartha Global Marketing LLP Dev Grover #travel #updates #monday #usa #lousiana

WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa Unveils A New Intimate Space For Perfect Celebrations WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa is delighted to announce the launch of its new banqueting offering, set amidst picturesque backdrop of the Aravalli hills in Bera, Rajasthan. This exquisite venue caters to intimate events and small weddings, combining modern elegance with timeless charm – an ideal setting for milestone celebrations. The newly introduced banquet hall at WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa offers an inviting indoor space capable of accommodating up to 70 guests. For guests seeking a more expansive setting, the outdoor garden area that the banquet open into, can host an additional 50 guests, bringing the total capacity to approximately 150. This flexible arrangement provides the perfect canvas for bespoke celebrations, enhanced by the natural beauty and tranquil ambience of the resort. #travel #hospitality

Outletcity Metzingen Expands Its Reputation as a Premier Culinary Destination Outletcity Metzingen, long celebrated for its luxury shopping experience, is now making waves in the culinary scene with its diverse dining offerings. Featuring 12 restaurants and cafés, including options for Halal cuisine, the shopping haven caters to a variety of palates. Visitors can enjoy Asian Fusion dishes at Champa, Alpine specialties at Almresi, and traditional Indian flavors at Namaste, alongside several other international options. Ms. Angela Rieger, Senior International Partnership Manager at Outletcity Metzingen, emphasized the brand’s focus on creating a holistic visitor experience. “At Outletcity Metzingen, our commitment extends beyond enhancing the shopping experience to include a diverse selection of dining options that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences,” Rieger said. Among the standout venues is Bollicine & Co. Champagne Bar, located in the luxurious Schwenkel Areal, offering a selection of Italian sparkling wines in a chic setting. For coffee lovers, BOSS Café and Tommy’s Coffee, located within the BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores, serve as stylish retreats. Namaste brings authentic Indian cuisine to the historic town center near the outlet, while Almresi offers a fusion of traditional Alpine flavors in a cozy chalet-inspired atmosphere. Marché Mövenpick impresses with fresh, locally-sourced market-style dishes, and Champa provides a taste of Asia with light, flavorful bowls. The Italian-inspired L’Osteria delights with its generous portions of pizza and pasta, and MOXY Bar, located within the Moxy Hotels, offers urban vibes and a versatile menu for any time of day. With this extensive array of dining options, OUTLETCITY AG Metzingen continues to elevate its reputation as a destination that combines world-class shopping with an unforgettable culinary adventure. AVIAREPS India Parul Diwan Ellona Pereira #travel #outletcity

Air Astana launches non-stop route between Almaty and London The new route is one of the longest Airbus A321LR flights in the world Beginning 4 October, Air Astana plans to resume non-stop flights on the Almaty to London route. Currently, the route has operated with a technical stop in Aktau. This has gone on since March 2022. Together with Airbus, the airline seeks to enhance the efficiency of its long-haul flights by installing additional fuel tanks on Airbus A321LR and enabling non-stop flights over long-haul distances without the need for technical stopovers. Thanks to such modifications, the London route will become fully non-stop and more comfortable, reducing the overall flight time by 1.5 hours to 9h 35m. This also makes it one of the longest narrow body routes in the world. Geared towards greater operational efficiency Air Astana current modernisation drive is a key component of its long-term strategy to enhance operational efficiency.

Island Hopper Roadshow Shines Spotlight on Mauritius & Maldives with Overwhelming Response in Mumbai The Island Hopper Roadshow, held at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai on September 18, 2024, brought together 27 leading luxury hotel partners, offering a unique platform for showcasing premium properties from Mauritius and the Maldives. With a mix of leisure and luxury resorts participating, the event aimed to connect travel partners with ocean-side opportunities and help them discover new networking possibilities within these popular island destinations. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 800 travel agents attending the show. The wide array of showcased properties included a blend of iconic and boutique resorts. Participants had the exclusive chance to interact with top hotel partners and discover their latest offerings. The highlight of the event was a raffle draw, where lucky winners walked away with complimentary stay vouchers to some of the most coveted resorts. The raffle prizes included: • A villa stay at Villa Nautica, Maldives • A stay at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives • A stay at The Standard Hurawalhi, Maldives • A luxury getaway at The Emerald Maldives • A stay at Ravenala Attitude, Mauritius • A tropical retreat at Le Méridien Ile Maurice, Mauritius • A stay at Coco Bodhu Hiti, Maldives • A stay at Hard Rock, Maldives • A stay at Kandima, Maldives Commenting on the success of the event, Mr. Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder of TBO.COM said, "The Island Hopper Roadshow is a testament to our commitment to empowering our travel partners with the best opportunities. By showcasing some of the finest properties from the Maldives and Mauritius, we aim to provide our partners with the tools to expand their offerings and meet the growing demand for these sought-after island destinations. The overwhelming response from the agents is proof that the industry is ready to embrace new possibilities and enhance the travel experience for their customers." This event served as a fantastic opportunity for travel partners to expand their portfolios and enhance their offerings in the increasingly popular island destinations. With a focus on promoting world-class properties, the Island Hopper Roadshow proved to be a success, creating lasting business relationships and fostering new opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Moumita Mukherjee Paul Sanket Mishra Rakesh Gupta Aarish Khan Manish Dua jatin arora Sandeep Raghav Hemant Jagtap

Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts opens its first resort in Nepal Holiday Inn Resort Kathmandu Budhanilkantha : Kathmandu’s Newest Nature Retreat The newly opened Holiday Inn Resort Kathmandu Budhanilkantha is the latest addition to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ renowned Holiday Inn brand family and is the first Holiday Inn Resort property in Nepal. Nestled amidst the foothills of the Shivapuri forest, a short drive from Kathmandu city centre, Holiday Inn Resort Kathmandu Budhanilkantha offers guests the perfect balance of natural beauty and urban convenience. The resort’s proximity to Shivapuri National Park invites adventure seekers to explore lush landscapes, enthralling trails, and famous temples. #travel #hotels #hospitality

Courchevel Unveils Alpine Luxury and Year-Round Elegance to India’s Travel Aficionados Organizes an exclusive three- city roadshow in association with One Rep Global Courchevel, the distinguished jewel of the French Alps, captivated India’s luxury travel community during a week-long roadshow from September 16th – 21st held across Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. This prestigious event, organized in collaboration with One Rep Global the event saw Courchevel Tourisme’s team showcasing the destination’s unique charm to over 200 travel aficionados from the industry. The roadshow highlighted Courchevel as the epitome of haute montagne living, where nature’s pristine beauty meets world- class skiing, #Michelin starred gastronomy and the cultural richness of the French Alps. A ten- member delegation from Courchevel, including representatives from premier hotels and its renowned ski school attended the event. They were joined by a celebrated Chef Benoit Redondo from La Saulire, an in-vogue dining destination in Courchevel, frequented by culinary enthusiasts and stars from cinema and fashion. The chef presented an exquisite five-course menu, showcasing exceptional cuisine that embodies the spirit of Courchevel. Alexia Lainé, Managing Director of Courchevel Tourisme, emphasized, “For Indian travellers seeking the perfect balance of thrilling outdoor adventures with the highest standards of luxury, Courchevel presents an unparalleled experience like no other. From world-class skiing to our refined accommodations and rich cultural offerings, #Courchevel is truly a destination where adventure and indulgence coexist in perfect harmony.” Hemant Mediratta Romir Rana Alexia Lainé Pavni Sood