Destination Updates

In the travel and tourism industry, particularly in the context of the Asian travel industry, the South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange 2024 (SATTE 2024), organized by Informa Markets in India, is expected to be a historic occasion. This travel trade event, set to take place at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, from February 22 to 24, 2024, is the 31st iteration of South Asia's premier B2B travel trade industry exhibition. Over the years, the importance of SATTE (South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange 2024) has increased dramatically, and the 2024 edition is expected to solidify its position as a key forum for the travel trade sector in Asia and beyond.

Jumeirah Group, a luxury hospitality firm part of Dubai Holding, has opened its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah, as part of its ongoing regional and global expansion. The hotel is now open as part of the second phase of the city's premier project, the Fosters + Partners-designed Jabal Omar. The hotel, which is situated in Jabal Omar and is only a short stroll from the Great Mosque of Makkah, offers top-notch, abundant amenities, including 1,121 keys of roomy, tastefully decorated rooms, suites, and villas that offer visitors a tranquil haven. Check out our blog latest blog to gain insights on Dubai’s top attractions.

India surpasses Asia and several other nations worldwide as one of South Africa's fastest-growing outbound travel markets. The country has enormous potential in the future and is one of South Africa's top three focal markets for tourism. With the 20th multi-city schedule, South African tourism marks almost 20 years of increasing investments in India, a significant milestone. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East India and Southeast Asia, South African Tourism, said “Post resumption of travel activities we have seen India’s outbound tourism market bounce back much stronger compared to rest of the world. Given the immense potential that lies in the Indian market, it continues to remain amongst our top three focus market for 2024 and holds a position of strategic importance "

Chinese tourists have surpassed Indian vacationers visiting the island nation in the middle of a diplomatic spat between the Maldives and India, according to government data provided here on Monday. As per the official statistics released by the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism, China ranked first with 23,972 tourists as of February 4, 2024, accounting for 11.2% of the market share; in 2023, it was ranked third. With 16,536 tourists (7.7% of the market share in 2024) visiting this island nation, India, which ranked first in 2023, has fallen to fifth place as of Sunday. Complete our exclusive Maldives travel course and become a destination professional.

According to a media report, Rajasthan has had a spectacular rise in tourism over the last four years, with domestic visitor numbers tripling and foreign visitor numbers noticeably increasing following the initial dip caused by the COVID outbreak. According to the Tourism Department, the state welcomed over 1.51 crore domestic visitors in 2020; by 2023, that figure had skyrocketed to over 17.90 crore. Over 22.20 lakh foreign tourists visited the desert state's historical sites between January 2020 and December 2023, accounting for a remarkable 32.44 crore domestic tourist count. You can also checkout our Rajasthan tourism course to know more about the best places to visit in the state.

International travel is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the World Travel Organization (UNWTO). According to UNWTO's World Tourism Barometer of the Year, worldwide travel concluded 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an expected 1.3 billion foreign arrivals. By the end of 2024, a full recovery is anticipated to be supported by the release of residual pent-up demand, improved air connectivity, and a more robust recovery of Asian markets and destinations. It also said that the Middle East, Europe, and Africa regions had done the best the previous year. Check out our international tourism course to gather more insights and information.

Wednesday marked the introduction of a 150,000 rupiah ($10) tax on new visitors to Bali, an Indonesian holiday paradise, in an attempt to preserve the customs of the "Island of Gods." To maintain its tropical attractiveness and boost income, Bali took help of it’s global reputation as a coastal destination. In a press conference held on Monday, acting governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, said “The purpose of this tax is to safeguard Bali’s environment and cultural heritage,”. Foreign tourists arriving in Bali from other parts of Indonesia or abroad would have to pay the fee electronically through the "Love Bali" internet portal.

The hospitality and tourism sector is expected to generate 50 million direct and indirect jobs over the next five to seven years, according to the Hotels' Association of India (HAI) on Monday. However, to fully realize this employment potential, government support is needed to secure the industry's full infrastructural status in each state. Speaking at the 6th HAI Hoteliers’ Conclave in New Delhi, HAI President Puneet Chhatwal stated that the infrastructure status for the hospitality sector may push up investments not only to develop lodging but also in the process improve revenue and employment generation.

After a year filled with unprecedented success and remarkable expansion, Dubai International (DXB) ended 2023 with 87 million annual visitors—exceeding both pre-pandemic and Dubai Airports' yearly projections. With this outstanding result, DXB's recovery path has been completed successfully and ahead of schedule, further establishing its status as the top airport in the world for international passenger traffic. According to a statement from Dubai Airports, DXB had a spike in visitors in 2023, totaling 86,994,365, an impressive year-over-year rise of 31.7% for Dubai tourism.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has led the UN Tourism's rating for the rise of international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019 among prominent locations, with a gain of 56%, according to the World Tourism Barometer study released last month. Moreover, the report indicates Saudi Arabia is recording a remarkable tourism recovery rate of 156% in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019. These notable achievements in the tourism sector have positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in the Middle East region's global tourism recovery, which was the only region to surpass pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels with a 122% recovery rate in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, it added.

Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shows that 13.1 million individuals are projected to have flown in India in January, representing a 4.7% rise over the same month last year. Even with this growth, the number of passengers decreased from the record high of 13.8 million in December. The decrease was probably caused by the numerous aircraft cancellations that occurred in January as a result of heavy fog; over 83% of the cancellations were caused by weather-related factors. The largest airline in India, IndiGo, announced last month that over 3,000 flights had been canceled due to a 5% cancellation rate, a notable increase from 2% a year earlier. The cancellation rates for SpiceJet were 3.5%, Air India was 2%, Vistara was 0.86%, and Akasa Air was 0.17%.

The Radisson Hotel Group inked a deal to open the 150-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya, as part of its ongoing expansion plan in India. Jeewani Hospitality is building the greenfield venture hotel with an anticipated 2027 opening. As part of its ongoing investment in the potential of the city's enormous historical and cultural value, the Radisson Hotel Group has opened a second hotel in Ayodhya. It was declared that Park Inn by Radisson Ayodhya would open in January 2024. The hotel is ideally situated in Ayodhya, just two kilometers from Shri Ram Mandir.

According to experts, Vietnam's tourism sector is expected to be nearing a significant milestone: 14–15 million foreign visitors this year. This is according to the official news agency (VNA). According to a recent Vietnam Report JSC poll, 66.7% of companies in the travel and lodging sector are confident about more favorable prospects this year. This indicates an optimistic perspective. According to a Wam news agency report citing VNA, 92.9% expect strong income growth, and 85.7% forecast an increase in both profit and visitor numbers. Also check out our Vietnam course for more travel insights.

The world's top cruise line, Oceania Cruises, welcomes guests on board its newest ship, Vista, for its eagerly awaited 180-day Around the World voyage in 2026, ushering in a new era of global travel. Oceania Cruises, leading the way in destination-immersion global voyages for more than ten years, raises the bar with unmatched comfort and ease. This year, Vista will host the circumnavigation, which will visit 101 ports in 43 countries. Bookings for this one-of-a-kind, comprehensive trip will formally open on March 13, 2024, with previews available now. If you’re looking for luxury cruise journeys, checkout Cordelia cruises.

As a result of planes passing through ash from the Popocatepetl volcano while heading toward the Mexican capital, 22 domestic and international flights have been canceled by the airlines, according to Mexico City International Airport, in order to conduct safety inspections. The airport stated that it is still open and operating in a post that it shared on X. The post states, "Specialized teams and management remain on alert and are evaluating the ash conditions." Right now, the cloud of volcanic ash is heading toward the Gulf of Mexico. Complete our Mexico travel course to know more about the country’s demographics.

Nepal has made a revolutionary decision by introducing digital hiking permits, replacing the country's previous paper-based approach. After more than 70 years, Nepal has stopped issuing trekking permits to foreign travelers. This is a considerable change. On February 23, the Department of Immigration entered the digital sphere, in line with previous initiatives to update the nation's tourism infrastructure. According to Prem Prasad Dhakal, department official, foreign hikers are no longer needed to be present at the immigration office to receive permits to hike in prohibited areas. Nevertheless, only Nepali payment methods, such as mobile banking apps and platforms like Connect IPS, E-sewa, and Khalti, should be used to make the payment.

In the following financial year 2024–25, the Indian hotel industry is expected to see significant revenue growth of 7-9%, according to a report released by Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency (ICRA). This anticipated spike in demand is attributed to several factors, including domestic leisure travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), spiritual tourism, and growing markets in Tier 2 cities. The hotel business hopes to sustain good occupancy levels despite a short decrease predicted during the upcoming general election period. According to ICRA, pan-Indian hotel occupancy surpassed the 68–70% mark set in the previous year to reach record highs of 70–72% in the current fiscal year.

With the introduction of a recently issued five-year multiple-entry visa, Dubai has changed the game for Indian tourists. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) established this project in response to the growing number of Indian tourists, with the goal of fostering stronger links between India and the UAE. Visitors may enter the United Arab Emirates on numerous sponsorships with this new visa. Their first stay will last ninety days, which can be extended once, for a maximum of 180 days in a year. It is made to accommodate a range of travel requirements, making connections for work or pleasure simple.

This year, Marriott International plans to open 14 hotels in South Asia, with 12 of those locations will be in India. This will bring the chain's current inventory in the nation to 1,200 rooms. According to Rajeev Menon, president of Marriott International for Asia Pacific, excluding China, India is one of the company's most significant markets in Asia, with the second-highest number of hotels and rooms after China. With 28 agreements inked between the beginning of 2024 and the present in South Asia, Marriott has increased the number of rooms in its development pipeline by almost 4,600.

The Kenya Tourism Board is offering incentives to Indian travel agents to promote Kenya as their top destination as part of a planned marketing campaign that it has begun. In partnership with Network 18, one of India's most prominent multi-platform destinations for news and infotainment, the consumer-driven campaign will target a diverse audience by leveraging the network's extensive reach. The campaign aims to enhance awareness and drive conversions in the Indian market by simultaneously engaging trade partners and consumers. Kenya Tourism Board Ag CEO John Chirchir, stated that the board acknowledged the value of the Indian market to Kenya's tourism and was excited to launch the campaign.

With the launch of its Stopover in Istanbul program in India, Turkish Airlines is allowing travelers to take advantage of their layovers and explore the exciting city. Turkish Airlines passengers may enjoy complimentary lodging and explore Istanbul's abundant history, culture, and shopping opportunities. Travelers can maximize their time in the city by taking advantage of complimentary lodging in a few partner hotels. Mahmut Yayla, Director of Sales, Turkish Airlines said, “We are dedicated to enhancing the travel experiences of our Indian passengers. Our ‘Stopover in Istanbul’ program underscores our commitment to providing exceptional services. Through complimentary stays in our partner hotels, we invite Indian travelers to discover the vibrant charm of Istanbul during their layovers, enriching their journey with cultural immersion and memorable moments.”

Indian flagship cruises brand Cordelia Cruises introduces a 5-night Holi celebration itinerary, sailing from Mumbai to the colorful beaches of Goa and the unspoiled islands of Lakshadweep. Guests will discover themselves in the center of a floating festival on the Pool Deck while the ship slices through the waves, participating in various colorful activities to brighten their days and nights. With activities that appeal to all ages and interests, such as the lively "Color Me Pretty," the heart-pounding "War of Balloons," and the creative "Coin Tower Activity," there is never a shortage of amusement. In an innovative twist on traditional celebrations, onboard festivities for Holi will take an imaginative turn, incorporating a variety of engaging games. Participants will be immersed in the spirit of the festival with activities like the "Wet Sponge Relay," "Water Telegames," "Pop the Balloons," and "Bucket Blast," ensuring a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Indian airport capacity is expected to rise by 60 million passengers annually. This occurred concurrently with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official opening of new terminal buildings at twelve airports nationwide. These include the airports at Delhi, Pune, and Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Gwalior, Chitrakoot, and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Lucknow, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, and Adampur airport in Punjab. In addition, he placed the cornerstones for brand-new terminal structures at the airports in Hubballi, Belagavi, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. When these three structures are combined, the annual passenger capacity will increase by 9.5 million.

Remarkable bookings of over 150,000 square meters, or more than 90% of the show area, have been made for the ITB Berlin event, which takes place at the Berlin Show Grounds from March 5–7, 2024. ITB Berlin is the world's leading travel trade event, evidenced by the show's record-breaking 87% foreign participation. The ITB Buyers Circle, including 1,300 elite purchasers, is a testament to the event's immense global impact. The involvement of the host country, Oman, and other Arab nations, together with expansions in the mobility, travel technology, and cruise sectors, highlight the great diversity among the 5,500+ exhibitors from 170 countries and regions. A premier industry gathering, the ITB Berlin Convention examines worldwide patterns and presents industry best practices from professionals at booking.com, TUI, Phocuswright, and Google, to shape the future.

Recent government data reveals a remarkable 3.6% increase in international tourist arrivals in January 2024 compared to the previous month. This surge not only underscores the endurance of the tourism sector but also paints a promising picture of its expansion in Mexico. According to INEGI, in January 2024, Mexico welcomed 3.64 million foreign visitors, a slight increase from the 3.51 million in the same month the previous year. These visitors flocked to the country in larger numbers and made a significant economic impact, spending US $2.94 billion during their visit. This 4.6% increase in expenditure over the previous year's US $2.81 billion is a promising sign for the Mexico tourism industry and the overall economy of Mexico.

The General Entertainment Authority's fourth edition of the Riyadh Season experienced a significant increase in visitors, drawing in over 20 million individuals from inside and outside the Kingdom, as opposed to the 10 million attending the event's inaugural edition in 2019.With the help of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 20 million people from inside and outside of Saudi Arabia came to Riyadh Season 2023, according to Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority. The unveiling of the Eid al-Fitr 2024 identity, with the tagline "Your Eid among your family and loved ones," was also disclosed by Al-Sheikh.