The post FHRAI to host 54th Annual Convention in Goa from 16-18th October appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the largest hospitality association in the world,  will be hosting its 54^th Annual Convention in Goa from October 16th to 18th, 2024, at Taj Cidade de Goa, Horizon. The event will be inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of India, on October 16th, 2024. The convention is expected to bring together around 800 delegates from all regions from India.

The theme for this year’s convention is “Tourism @2047: Incredible to Inevitable India – Driving Growth and Sustainability in a Mission Mode.” The convention will focus on strategies that will drive sustainable growth and innovation in India’s tourism sector. This aligns with the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, with tourism playing a key role in the country’s economic growth.

Pradeep Shetty, President of FHRAI, expressed the significance of this convention, stating: “The 54th FHRAI Annual Convention in Goa is a landmark event where industry leaders gather to discuss strategies and innovations that will shape the future of India’s hospitality and tourism sectors. The theme ‘Tourism @2047’ emphasises our long-term vision of making India a US$3 trillion tourism powerhouse by 2047. This convention will set the stage for that journey, highlighting the importance of sustainable growth and collaboration.”

“We aim to showcase the tourism industry’s potential to be a key engine of the country’s economic growth, inspiring new initiatives and solutions that will define the future of Indian tourism. We are honoured to have the support of the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and other distinguished guests. With over 800 delegates expected to attend, this convention promises to be a platform for meaningful discussions and partnerships.”, he further added.

Esteemed dignitaries attending the convention include Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Shripad Yeso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power, New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Shri Jonty Rhodes, Legendary South African Cricketer and a host of tourism sector stalwarts.

The convention will feature a variety of programs, including Business Sessions where industry leaders will discuss growth strategies, innovation, and sustainable practices in tourism. Additionally, there will be engaging business sessions, cultural performances highlighting Goa’s rich heritage, a Hospitality Exhibition, and the FHRAI Hospitality Excellence Awards. These awards aim to recognize and encourage young professionals in the hospitality industry and have become one of the most respected accolades in the field. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience Goa’s cultural richness and natural beauty during the event.

 

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The post 2025 WTTC Global Summit to be held in Rome appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The World Travel and Tourism Council announced that its 2025 WTTC Global Summit will be held in Rome, Italy.

The announcement was made during the closing ceremony for the 2024 WTTC Global Summit in Perth, Australia earlier today, 10th October.

The 2025 summit will also mark the first time that the event will be held in Italy’s capital and one of the world’s epicentres for history, culture, and tourism.

WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson said of the upcoming venue: “History shows that all roads lead to Rome, and in 2025 that’s certainly true as we head to a global city steeped in history, yet [is also] vibrantly forward-looking.”

Italy’s minister of tourism Daniela Santanchè expressed pride in the Council’s choice, saying: “This event is recognised as the most important setting for dialogue between governments and the private sector, where leaders shape the future of global Travel & Tourism. We look forward to welcoming our guests and members of WTTC to Rome, a city rich in history and innovation.”

All roads lead to Rome

Scheduled for late 2025, the 25th Global Summit will be staged in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and marks a significant return to Europe after six years.

One of the world’s most popular destinations, the WTTC Global Summit in Italy will see business leaders and government delegations from around the world converge in the city to discuss the latest challenges facing the sector, as well as the solutions of tomorrow.

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The post Indonesia announces visa-free policy for 13 nations appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Indonesian government officially announced the implementation of a visa-free travel policy for citizens of 13 countries, 11 of which are its neighbours within Asia. 

This new policy is outlined in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No 95 of 2024, formally ratified last 29th August.

The 13 countries specified in the policy are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

Citizens from these nations are exempted from obtaining visas with which to enter Indonesia, and they may remain in the country for a maximum of 30 days.

This privilege extends to both governments of special administrative regions under these nations, as well as specific entities or holders of special residence permits.

A matter of mutual benefit between nations

The Presidential Regulation was ratified based on reciprocal considerations and the principle of benefit. 

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment emphasised that the selective granting of visa-free travel aims to enhance the security of Indonesian sovereignty.

The implementation of visa-free travel is expected to boost state revenue, which can subsequently be used to support economic growth and national development. 

Another key consideration in granting visa-free visits is its potential impact on the tourism sector. The regulation is expected to stimulate tourism throughout Indonesia, particularly in the Riau Islands.

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The post AirAsia boosts Kuala Lumpur International Airport as global LCC hub appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

AirAsia continues to add lustre to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)’s status as the world’s leading low-cost carrier (LCC) megahub.

As a leading carrier, AirAsia operates 43 percent of all flights, accounts for 74 percent of the airport’s total LCC capacity, and has up to 236 daily departures from the airport. 

The airline also confirmed the launch of five new routes within the final quarter of 2024, adding to the existing 112 international and 14 domestic routes it currently operates from KLIA across all airlines in the AirAsia Group. These may include new routes to other countries in Asia and Africa. 

AirAsia’s vast connectivity from the five countries it operates in across Asean in Bangkok, Thailand; Jakarta, Indonesia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Manila, Philippines plays a vital role not only in establishing Kuala Lumpur as the top global LCC megahub, but also in reinforcing its dominance in regional markets.

Fulfilling a vision

Capital A CEO and AirAsia Aviation Group adviser Tony Fernandes remarked: “When I co-founded AirAsia 23 years ago, I envisioned a future where KLIA would stand among the global elite airports. It is now the second most connected airport globally, powered by the momentum AirAsia has built as the world’s leading LCC megahub.”

Statistically, KLIA tops the airports in this region, offering more than 14,500 possible low-cost connections, surpassing Singapore and Bangkok in terms of air connectivity.

Fernandes added: “AirAsia’s ongoing network expansion will not only further boost KLIA’s position among the world’s best but also ensure that we remain competitive in connecting emerging and established markets. The imminent EGM for Capital A with shareholders next week to unify operations under one aviation group will strengthen this expansion plan, enabling us to streamline and drive long-term growth for the airline.”

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The post Scenic Group launches new Asia Pacific office appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Scenic Group launched its new Asia Pacific office in Singapore and introduced the leaders of its team in the region.

Trading as Scenic Tours APAC Pte Ltd, the new office and team are part of Scenic Group’s strategy to capitalise on the growing demand from the high net worth individual, prestigious traveller target audience and luxury cruise market segment in the APAC region. 

Building on the success of its Australian, New Zealand, US, UK & Canadian businesses, Scenic Group is now well positioned to accelerate its global growth in the emerging APAC, EMEA, and LATAM regions.

Scenic Groups’ chairman and founder Glen Moroney said: “We are excited to open our new Scenic Group APAC office in Singapore as part of our ongoing global expansion. With the growth of our Scenic and Emerald Cruises luxury river cruise ships and innovative ultra-luxury yachts, this provides us with the foundation to meet the increasing demand from affluent consumers in the fast-growing markets across this region.

General manager for sales and marketing in the Asia Pacific Anthony Laver added, “We are committed to working closely with our network of valued Travel Partners and jointly strengthening both the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands in the Asia Pacific region. We are proud to announce the appointment of Constance Seck as the regional director for sales and marketing-APAC. Reporting to me, she will lead an experienced team in Singapore, to implement our strategy in China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the other key Southeast Asia markets.”

Meet the team

Constance Seck joins Scenic Group from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) and brings over 20 years of extensive experience in these Asian markets, having held various senior leadership roles in luxury hotels, consortia management, and travel agencies. 

She will be supported by APAC business development manager Ally Grueter, who has built strong relationships over the past seven years and Yee Sher Lim, who also joins the team as the marketing and services manager for the region, bringing her expertise from previous marketing, product and sales roles including NCLH and Citystate Travel.

Joining the team in Singapore is APAC accounting manager Quoc Huy To who held the position of financial controller at Vietnam’s Asia River Cruises for eight years.

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The post Europe, popular for cultural immersions barring cost: LHTB appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

International travellers are showing increased caution about planning trips to Europe between September and December this year. This is according to the latest Long-Haul Travel Barometer (LHTB) 3/2024 published by the European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail BV, which explores the sentiment and preferences of travellers regarding long-haul travel to Europe.

The report reveals that 58% of respondents plan to travel long-haul in the last four months of the year, with 40% anticipating a visit to Europe. This represents a 4% decline compared to the same period last year. Affordability is a primary barrier to travel to Europe, cited by nearly half of respondents (44%). This figure is on the rise across all key markets, excluding Australia which has seen a minor decrease.

Notable rise in Chinese travel aspirations

The study reveals a significant year-on-year increase in the intention for overseas travel from China, with 83% of respondents expressing interest in visiting Europe, a 9% rise from last year. This surge is supported by several factors, including the reintroduction of flights between China and Europe, which has made travel more accessible. Additionally, the Golden Week holiday from 1-7 October provides a convenient travel window for many visitors.

Travel intentions from Brazilians closely mirror those seen last autumn, with nearly 48% of respondents planning to visit Europe in the last four months of the year, driven primarily by younger and more affluent travellers.  Despite the growing consumer confidence, the high costs remain a major deterrent to travel for people in this market.

Travellers from Canada and Australia are more cautious, with 39% and 33% of respondents planning a trip to Europe until the end of the year, closely aligning with the figures from previous years. Similarly, the desire to visit Europe among South Korean and US respondents is quite modest, at 27% and 23%, respectively. Sentiment for overseas travel from the US appears to be particularly weak, registering a considerable decline from last year’s 41%, mainly due to high travel costs (40%), an interest in exploring other regions (23%) and insufficient vacation time (17%).

Safety and budget constraints influence travel plans

Safety remains the top criterion when choosing a holiday destination in Europe (52%) – with significant year-on-year growth among travellers from Australia, Japan, China, Canada and the US – followed by must-see sites (41%) and quality tourism infrastructure (39%).

Inflation for tourism products and services is beginning to decline, yet the lasting impacts of recent years continue to affect travel habits. Most respondents (66%) plan to spend between €100 and €200 per day, similar to autumn 2023. However, some markets are tightening their budgets as European holidays become less affordable. Notably, there has been a year-on-year 30% drop in Chinese travellers expecting to spend over €200 per day. Additionally, in Australia and Canada, there are increases of 6% and 8%, respectively, in travellers anticipating spending less than €100 per day.

Culture remains a key pull to visit Europe

Leisure is the top reason for travel to Europe, with 78% responding that it was the main motive for their visit. Culture and history remain the leading attractions for future trips, with 44% of respondents citing them as a priority. This growing interest benefits Europe’s historic centres and cultural hotspots. Notably, interest in exploring Europe’s rich culture and history has surged in China (+13%), Japan (+11%), and the US (+14%) when compared to last year. Prospective travellers have also cited gastronomic experiences as a particular draw for visiting Europe (39%), followed by city life (33%).

Featured for the first time in this study, the survey reveals that respondents planning trips to Europe have a strong interest in engaging with locals. Some 40% indicated they would occasionally interact with locals to enhance their trips. Additionally, 36% would seek deeper cultural experiences by learning about local life and traditions, while 15% aspire to build meaningful relationships with locals.

Commenting on the findings, Miguel Sanz, President of ETC, said: “Travellers planning to visit Europe show a keen interest in connecting with locals, highlighting a broader shift towards more meaningful and authentic experiences. The barometer results underscore that locals are a key asset in shaping overseas visitors’ perceptions of European destinations, through their hospitality, culture, and daily life. By involving locals in tourism decision-making, empowering them to create their own tourism initiatives, and investing in authentic spaces like markets, cultural hubs, and events, destinations can cultivate sustainable relationships that benefit both travellers and residents. This approach is what can make Europe an even more culturally vibrant and welcoming destination.”

 

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The post Meetings and events spend to increase in 2025: Amex GBT appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

The meetings and events industry is projected to flourish in 2025, with meeting professionals expressing confidence in its future and noting planned increases in meetings budgets, as revealed in the 14th Annual Global Meetings and Events Forecast by Amex GBT Meetings & Events.

The 2025 forecast points to solid growth ahead, with increasing budgets and a positive outlook from professionals, despite challenges like rising costs and ongoing staffing shortages. In fact, 66% expect their budgets to grow, intending to allocate these funds towards a variety of business priorities.

The forecast surveyed more than 500 meetings and events professionals worldwide, supplemented by insights from more than a dozen industry leaders. While 74% of professionals remain optimistic about the industry’s health, this marks a tempering of the high expectations seen in 2024, signaling a return to more balanced outlooks.

Meeting professionals continue to anticipate that internal meetings will be the most frequent meeting type in 2025 – like they had predicted for 2024. In the forecast, meeting professionals expect that nearly half of internal meetings will be held at a hotel, 34% will be in a different city, and 35% will include social activities for networking.

Additional highlights from the 2025 forecast include:

• Two-thirds see an increase in overall meeting spend
• Businesses are approaching M&E in 2025 strategically and with rich, personalized experiences in mind to make the most out of the time in-person
• Location availability is the #1 challenge for planning a meeting in 2025

Gerardo Tejado, Senior Vice President, Professional Services, Amex GBT, said: “Our forecast highlights a strong and optimistic outlook for the meetings and events industry. In-person meetings continue to dominate with prioritization of attendee engagement, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology like AI to enhance the experience. As sustainability goals advance and AI becomes more integrated, the industry is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation.”

Technology as a Key Driver

Technology is reshaping the meetings and events industry, serving as a crucial tool for personalization. From automation to generative AI, these technologies boost efficiency, creativity, and engagement. Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront, with meeting planners prioritizing its use in 2025.

The forecast shows that professionals are ready to explore AI’s potential across various areas – particularly to improve the attendee experience. The main tech focus for meeting planners is AI (50%), and mobile apps continue to be an expectation at events. AI is being or will be used for tasks like attendee matchmaking (42%), content creation (41%), theme development (40%), and tracking attendee engagement (39%).

Sustainability Goals and Practices Continue to Rise

Sustainability remains a crucial element in well-developed meeting programs. Over half (54%) of meeting professionals consider it highly important in their 2025 planning, with 47% having established clear sustainability goals and action plans and also focusing on DE&I practices, waste management, and eco-friendly food and beverage options. A significant majority (86%) of meeting professionals have already implemented DE&I best practices or plan to do so.

Engagement is Essential

Attendee engagement plays a vital role in the success of any meeting or event, shaping the overall experience and leaving a lasting impact. Meeting professionals have highlighted several key elements that contribute to a memorable experience, with the top three being content (38%), venue (27%), and destination (25%). When surveyed about budget increases, the top priority for professionals was to invest in “improving the onsite experience.”

GLOBAL VIEW: THE REGIONAL OUTLOOK

There are regional differences in what the industry can expect in the upcoming year.

• North America: 70% of meeting professionals in North America expect their meeting spend to increase in 2025 compared with 72% in 2024.
• Europe: 82% of European meeting professionals will host meetings with an in-person component in 2025, with 65% expecting their meeting spend to increase in the next year.
• Asia Pacific: Like other regions,70% expect their meeting spend to increase in 2025 and 61% say sustainability is very important to them.
• Latin America: Meeting professionals (70%) expect their meeting spend to increase in 2025, compared with 73% in 2024.

 

 

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The post More Brits are choosing the ferry  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Outstanding wildlife sightings from ships, new vessels and pet-friendly travel are encouraging more passengers to take the ferry.

2024 has seen a resurgence in ferry travel as holidaymakers opt to travel by water to enjoy holidays around the British Isles and Europe. Discover Ferries, the ferry industry body, reports that there were more than 12.5 million passenger crossings for business and pleasure in the last three months*, with 23.5 million passenger ferry crossings in 2024 so far.

More people are choosing to travel to France by ferry, with 8.2 million UK passengers visiting the world’s favourite holiday destination by sea so far this year, 8% more than last year. Growing interest in rail and sea travel has also supported continued investment in sustainable ferry transport.

Marine life tourism

Thanks to the cool, nutrient-rich waters around the UK, ferry travel is one of the best ways to spot whales, dolphins and porpoises in the wild. This year, large numbers of fin whales, the second largest animal in the world, have been sighted from ferries travelling through the Bay of Biscay affording passengers prime opportunity to glimpse these shy creatures in nature.

Isles of Scilly Travel’s sailing from Penzance to St Mary’s once again proves to be one of the best ferry routes for marine life spotting, with the highest number of Risso dolphin sightings recorded this year. Marine conservation charity ORCA works closely with ferry operators to run wildlife surveys on ships and organise deck watches and deliver environmental talks for passengers on selected routes.

Abby Penlington, Director of Discover Ferries says: “Ferry passengers can experience fantastic encounters with nature, but many people are surprised by the number of marine mammals they can see so close to British shores. From minke whales and even humpbacks in the waters around the Scottish Hebrides, to the seal colony visible when the ships dock in Calais and the seals and dolphins in the Thames, there are so many opportunities to spot marine life from ferry decks. Wildlife mini cruises, co-ordinated deck watches and special marine life packages are proving increasingly popular with holidaymakers who want to enjoy this experience as part of their holiday.”

Dog days are far from over

As a nation of animal lovers, Brits don’t only want to see wildlife on their holidays but also want to take four-legged members of the family with them. The search term “dog friendly hotels” has increased by +450% in the past 12 months and ferry operators are also seeing this interest in pet-friendly breaks translating to ticket sales.

Condor Ferries introduced pet cabins to its Condor Islander ship in 2023 and due to their popularity, pet cabins have also been installed on the Commodore Clipper. Brittany Ferries reported that its pet cabins for 2025 on its services to Spain sold out soon after their release earlier this month.

Greener travel

Penlington says: “Activities with pets and nature are climbing the ranks as important parts of people’s holidays and holiday-makers’ interest in conserving the natural world is also extending to how they can minimise their impact on the environment when travelling. However, to truly appeal to travellers, sustainability must be combined with an improved experience. Lowering emissions and building a sustainable future for ferry travel continues to be a priority for the industry and operators are investing in new ships, which are not only greener but have best-in-class facilities to offer an even better sailing experience for passengers. New ships coming into service are generating bookings by themselves and introducing new passengers to the joy of ferry travel.”

In the past three years ten new ships have launched into service including the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Manxman, P&O Ferries’ Pioneer and Liberté, Salamanca and Santoña from Brittany Ferries, Côte D’Opale from DFDS and Stena Embla the last of three E-flexer class vessels for Stena Line on the Irish Sea. Sleek and modern interiors, new pet facilities, upgraded lounges and fantastic cafes and eateries on board these new classes of ferries have elevated the experience to the next level. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has also launched three new hybrid electric ferries, which carry passengers through central London on journeys with zero emissions. The ships have large windows to help travellers enjoy fantastic views of the capital’s famous landmarks.

There’s more innovation on the way, Brittany Ferries has started trialling use of bio-LNG on its Spanish and Cherbourg routes to further cut CO2 emissions and will welcome two new LNG-electric hybrid ships, Saint Malo and Guillaume de Normandie into service in early 2025. Excitement around the new ships has converted to bookings as the day tickets went on sale was Brittany Ferries’ biggest ever day for reservations. The Saint-Malo even offers allergy-free cabins complete with allergy-friendly toiletries. For domestic travel and lifeline services, Caledonian MacBrayne is bringing six new dual-fuel vessels into service in Scotland’s western islands in 2025 and in 2026 Isles of Scilly Travel will launch Scillonian IV, a ferry featuring increased comfort with anti-roll fins, a shortened journey time and improved facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. Two electric ferries will come into service on the Solent, with Red Funnel launching its first electric high-speed ferry in 2025 and Wightlink welcoming its first fully-electric ferry in 2026-2027.

Seaside staycations continue to rise in popularity

11.2 million passenger ferry journeys have been made within the British Isles so far this year**. The Channel Islands have seen ferry passenger numbers dramatically increase, with 14% more passengers travelling to Jersey and Guernsey this Summer***. In the summer quarter – June, July and August – an estimated 12% more passengers have visited destinations in the Clyde and off Scotland’s west coast than in the same period last year. Closer to home, the London River Bus service saw passenger numbers rise to 2.7 million from May-July this year, an 8% uplift on the same period in 2023****. Seaside destinations remain attractive for visitors with more than three quarters (77%) of Brits saying they find being by water relaxing***** and two thirds (66%) of people saying they feel like they have been on holiday when they have spent time by water or the sea.

Penlington comments: “Staycations have become a staple for many British holidaymakers and, with the unpredictability of European weather in the height of summer, this trend is here to stay. Beautiful locations such as the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Man – all best reached by ferry – are rising the ranks as must-visit destinations that don’t have the same heat and levels of tourism as Spain and Greece. We have seen growing numbers of visitors to these destinations over the past few years and it is showing no signs of stopping.”

 

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