Category: Top Stories

Tourism Kelowna will be the first organization in the Thompson-Okanagan region to initiate a new industry sustainability project. The project made by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Biosphere Certification Adhesion Program will be launched in Kelowna first, followed by Kamloops and other places across the region. Based on TOTA’s ‘Drive for Sustainability’ plan, the project will bring together community stakeholders to work together and execute long-term stewardship of local tourism while offering visitors an ‘authentic, remarkable experience’. Five years ago, TOTA had decided to expand the tourism business window from traditionally 45 days in the summer to 200 ... Read more

As a step to improve the tourism sector of Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has strengthened calls for abolishing Tourism Tax (TTx). The tax was implemented on September last year for foreigners at a flat rate of 10 Malaysian Ringgit (RM10) per room for a night at hotels and other private lodgings. However, MATTA believes that the tourism tax had a reverse impact on tourism industry, especially in the case of price sensitive tourists as well as long-haul travellers who like long holidays in the country. The tourist industry in ASEAN countries had recorded good ... Read more

As per the recent statistics, Morocco’s tourism revenues has jumped 18.1 per cent year on year to $2.1 billion in the first four months of 2018. The statistics were published by the country’s foreign exchange regulator. Between January and April, remittances from around 4.5 million Moroccans living abroad posted a 13 per cent increase to $ 2.11 billion  compared with $ 1.85 billion during the same period previous year. Tourism revenues and remittances from Moroccans living abroad are the main sources of foreign currency reserves for Morocco. On the other hand, foreign direct investments in Morocco dropped by 17.1 per cent ... Read more

Experts believe that the declaration of 10-year residency visas for investors and specialists will encourage more medical professionals to UAE. As per reports, Dubai is emerging as a prime destination for medical tourism destination, with Mena region ranked first. By 2020, the Emirate is targeting 5,00,000 medical tourists from 3,25,000 in 2016, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.3 per cent. The rise in demand for healthcare services in the Emirate over the past 10 years was accelerated by population growth, medical tourism and increase incidence of life style related medical conditions. The growth has been substantiated by ... Read more

Brazil’s Tourism Ministry has announced that they have signed an agreement with the Brazilian LGBT Trade and Commerce Chamber to promote the country as a gay-friendly tourism destination. Through the agreement, the government hopes to increase awareness of Brazil as a gay-friendly destination and also improve treatment of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). “Brazil is still a very conservative nation, but tourism helps bridge gaps and improve communication,” said Tourism Minister Vinicius Lummertz. Though Brazil is rich in natural resources and dozens of tourist destinations with potential to attract millions of people, the country still struggles to become a power in ... Read more

The implementation of value-added tax (VAT) doesn’t seem to trouble UAE’s hospitality and travel sector, as reports suggest the sturdy tourism sector is growing. Within few month of the tax implementation, the number of tourists rose to 4.7 million recording a growth of 2 per cent, while the accommodation rate reached up to 87 per cent indicating a growth by 0.7 per cent. The experts of hospital and travels industry mark the impact of tax as insignificant. The first year of tax introduction is expected to create a revenue of Dh12 billion and may rise up to Dh20 billion in ... Read more

Jet Airways has launched its first non-stop service between Mumbai and Manchester, which will operate for four days a week including Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Jet Airways’ flight 9W 130 will depart from Mumbai at 02.30 am (local time) and will arrive in Manchester’s Terminal 2 at 07.55 am (local time). The return flight, 9W 129 will depart from Manchester at 09.35 am (local time) and arrive in Mumbai’s Terminal 2 at 00.40 pm (local time). “We are extremely pleased to begin a new chapter in our decade-long relationship with the United Kingdom. The new service will bring Manchester into our ... Read more

Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS), has opened a new Thai Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Chennai. The office at Wellington Estate Building, Portion 1A, 3rd Floor, No.53, Ethiraj Salai, Chennai will serve as the Hub VAC for CKGS’s South India Operations. The Centre will cater to all categories of visas such as tourist, transit, non-immigrant, business, work, crew and medical visa. The new centre in Chennai was inaugurated by Krongkanit Rakcharoen, the Consul-General, Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chennai in presence of the senior CKGS officials. “Thailand has emerged as one of the most favourite destinations for Indians with the number ... Read more

Your winter will be much more exciting this year. This is due to the fact that the tourists will be able to spend a good amount of time at Lambasingi, the ancestral village at the core of Chintapalle area in the Visakhapatnam. The village is a favourite spot for the travellers as single-digit temperatures are recorded during intense winters and is referred as ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’. The spot attracts lakhs of tourists from in and around the state every year. However, the main drawback cited by the tourists was the lack of enough accommodation at the village. Bringing a solution ... Read more

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has unveiled its “Giant Suitcase” initiative for the Holy Month of Ramadan. With more than 75 per cent of travellers admitting to over-packing clothes for their holidays, this programme will provide them with the opportunity to do-good through a simple donation programme. Etihad has placed a Giant Suitcase in their terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, encouraging travellers to donate just one item they know they can do without to those less fortunate. Research shows the vast majority of leisure travellers over-pack for their holiday. Etihad staff will also contribute during giant ... Read more

Chinese multinational company Fosun International Ltd is planning to expand the business in North America’s tourism and leisure market through acquisitions. Fosun, the parent company of Club Med Sas aims to begin a new product line for China by acquiring travel agencies, resorts, theme parks or anything related to tourism sector. Currently, Fosun and Med receives most of the revenue from Asia and Europe. The firm presence in North America will enhance the tourism portfolio of the company. It is believed that the ongoing trade tensions between US and China will not affect the travellers and tourism sector. “We take ... Read more

Zimbabwe attracted more than 2.4 million tourist arrivals in 2017, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. The increase in arrivals can be attributed to the country’s safe ans peaceful environment,” said Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga while addressing the gathering during the launch of the National Tourism Master Plan. In 2017, Zimbabwe received a total of 2422930 tourists, registering an increase of 12 per cent compared to the 2167686 footfalls in 2016. Already in 2018, the country has recorded an increase in the number of tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year,” he said. The ... Read more

Leisure Experiences has announced the launch of their new luxury property in Kodaikanal. The inauguration was held in Chennai with members of Tamara Lesiure Experiences in attendance. Nestled in the hills, Tamara Kodai provides world-class accommodation within a colonial building, La Providence, which is considered to be the first one in Kodaikanal. The property features 53 suites which boasts French provincial design. “It is our great privilege to be here today. It is really an honour to be in Chennai, and one of our greatest privileges as an organisation as we get to join hands with Tamil Nadu. Our main ... Read more

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is planning to hire over 5000 students from the city for working in different positions as a step to better the tourism prospective of the state. The Tourism Board is planning employ 5000 students for 20 different positions in and out of the state. As per plans, the tourism board will be conducting an open job fair at the UTD campus of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) for the mass recruitment. Dr Manoj Kumar Singh, Director for skill, training and adventure at MP Tourism Board had met Dr Narendra Dhakad, Vice Chancellor of DAVV, on Friday regarding ... Read more

Krishna district administration is all set to launch heli tourism in an effort to boost tourism sector of the region. The prime reason to initiate this venture is to put away visitors time during travelling. The region consists of major attractions like Kanaka Durga temple, Bhavani Island, Gandhi Hill and Manginapudi. Some private agencies have also been included in the project, with the attractive packages for heli tours starting from an attractive Rs 3,000. The number of tourists has considerably increased in the state after state-bifurcation. The district administration had already started works for converting major attractions into prime tourist ... Read more