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28 April 2022, Bengaluru, Karnataka: With an aim to increase domestic footfalls, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka along with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. shall organise Multi City Roadshows from May 2022 to November 2022 to promote Karnataka Tourism and Travel Industry, like various tourist places, hotels, resorts, homestays, Tour operators and other service providers from Karnataka. KSTDC has identified 19 cities across the country, which are the key source market for domestic arrivals. Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Goa, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Chennai, Vijayawada, Hyderabad & Nagpur are the few select cities for hosting the roadshows. The first leg of these B2B roadshows are being organized in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow on May 17th , May 21st , May 23rd and May 25th respectively. This exclusive B2B Roadshow will have over 15 stakeholders from Karnataka interacting with more than 100 travel agent’s/tour operators of the respective cities. The main objective of Karnataka Tourism is to promote the State as a destination for Leisure, MICE, Adventure, Wildlife and Wedding Destination in theIndian market. KSTDC shall be the nodal agency to conduct the roadshows in various cities of India. The Roadshow will have B2B interactions and presentations that will showcase the destination and also open up new avenues in bringing the destination in new light to the travel and trade community. Cultural performance will be organised to showcase the vibrant art forms that Karnataka is known for. The Roadshow will bring together different aspect of Karnataka tourism such as Nature, Wildlife, Adventure, Pilgrimage, Heritage and cultural heritage, and many more. Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourism products with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, splendid wildlife and resplendent nature, virgin beaches to adorn. The Roadshow series will provide the impetus to the domestic inbound travel and would enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the travel-trade. Mr. G. Jagadeesha, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation said “Karnataka with its diverse range of products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive states for the travel-trade, both for leisure and business travel. Domestic Tourism being the backbone of the Tourism economy has a lot of potential which needs to be tapped. Post-pandemic, these Roadshow activities will be an excellent occasion for our stakeholders to renew contacts with the traveltrade across India.”

India, 27 April, 2022: MobiKwik, one of the largest mobile wallets and the largest Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) FinTech company in India, has announced a collaboration with renowned partners in the travel, tourism and aviation industry for seamless and convenient payment experience for travelers. Users will be able to book travel via air, train, bus, road and their stay at hotels using MobiKwik wallet in just a few simple steps. In addition, users will be able to leverage the benefits of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) service MobiKwik Zip and cashback offers. MobiKwik has partnered with renowned merchants such as Vistara, SpiceJet, and Indigo in airline, online travel aggregators such as ixigo, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, AbhiBus, Zing Bus and car rental agencies such as Savaari, Drive U, Rapido, Blusmart, and Meru Cabs for a well-rounded experience to its users. Commenting on the announcement, Chandan Joshi, Co-founder, and CEO, Consumer Payments, MobiKwik said, “Digital wallets have emerged as the preferred mode of payment for online transactions. Consumers today are looking for convenience, speed of execution coupled with value added benefits while making online purchases. At MobiKwik, we understand the consumers’ preferences and pain-points in their daily life payments - grocery, shopping, travel, insurance, etc. By collaborating with leading airlines and travel aggregators, we take one step closer on our mission of delivering seamless customer experience and becoming the Digital Bank for 500 million digitally savvy Indians.” He further added, “Our travel segment has witnessed 60% growth as compared to the corresponding period last year, and we expect it to further grow significantly with the help of leading partners.” Speaking on the partnership, Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara said, “The customer expectations over the years have changed, they now expect quick flight options available on their mobile screens to instantly pay and fly. MobiKwik is making all this possible for the new-age travelers by offering seamless payment options. This is an exciting time for the travel enthusiasts since vacation time is around the horizon, we couldn't be more excited about this collaboration with MobiKwik to offer nothing but the best to the customers.” Echoing similar sentiments, Nitin Gurha, VP Business & Partnerships, ixigo said, “The pandemic has changed payment preferences of consumers, especially for Gen Z and millennial travelers who prefer digital wallets and other fast payment methods while purchasing tickets. Together with our strategic partnership with MobiKwik, we are offering fast and convenient payment options, as well as enticing travel deals and cashback offers to all our existing and new users. Our collaboration will help ixigoers get the best value for their time and money.” Using MobiKwik wallet, the customers who make travel-related reservations for upcoming summer vacations or long weekends will be able to enjoy a range of benefits. They can also earn cashback up to INR 125 on bus bookings, going up to INR 700 for domestic air travel and hotels. The discount and cashback are instantaneous and will allow users to save more and manage their travel budgets efficiently. The cash back offers are valid from 1st April 2022- 30th May 2022.

Mumbai, 18 April, 2022: Indians’ surprising lack of knowledge of our own country, its diversity, vastness, culture, heritage, and cuisines was revealed in new research published by Mahindra Holidays. According to the light-hearted ‘India Quotient’[1]study, 60% of the respondents admit that they don’t know much about Indian history, culture, geography/destinations, nature, food, etc. The research was commissioned to mark Mahindra Holidays’ 25 anniversary milestone, and highlight the depth of experiences available to local travellers and tourists across the country. The India Quotient, which indicates the knowledge and awareness of different facets of India, appears to be the lowest in cuisine. In fact, less than a third of the respondents (31%) are aware that when coffee was brought to India, it was planted first in Coorg. Our research also revealed people’s low awareness of Indian art, culture, and heritage. For instance, more than half (55%) of the respondents also don’t know that Aipan is the signature folk art of Uttrakhand, more than a third (39%) of the respondents don’t know that the Khajuraho festival is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, and nearly a third (32%) don’t know Maharashtra is the best place to shop for the Paithani sari. The same trend is observed in terms of Indians’ geographical knowledge of our country. To illustrate, Gir is the only natural habitat of world popular Asiatic Lions[2], and yet, more than a third of the respondents (39%). One in every three respondents (33%) is unaware that Udaipur is known as the ‘City of Lakes’ and more than a third of respondents (35%) remain unaware that the wall at Kumbhalgarh Fort, the second-longest wall, in the world, after the Great Wall of China, is located in Rajasthan. Kavinder Singh, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, explained, “There has been an exponential rise in the local tourist visits, which was seen from the year 2000 to the present across the country[3]. As people explore India, observe iconic Indian monuments and experience unique culture and cuisines of different states, they grow more curious about other aspects of India they don’t know about and become eager to raise their ‘India Quotient’. For instance, two-thirds of the respondent (66%) seek out local cuisines when they are travelling with family, however, 41% of the respondents don’t know that Appam is the local cuisine of Kerala.” “Club Mahindra has been the preferred choice for family holidays for over a quarter century, and in line with our campaign of ‘We Cover India, You Discover India’, we aim to keep adding resorts and experiences across India to help our guests experience all the hidden treasures our diverse nation houses. Each of our properties offers a wide selection of exciting activities, and we are sure that they will delight our guests and help them create truly memorable moments.” The study also revealed some interesting insights about family dynamics while people are on vacation: 27% of the respondents claim that the top reason to take a family vacation is to bond with their family One in every five respondents (21%) assume the role of the ‘Adventurer’ claiming they test their adrenaline and endurance 15% of the respondents play the role of ‘Foodie’ on their family trip claiming want to experiment and experience local cuisine and advise their family on the same [1]Data is based on telephonic and face-to-face interviews with 4,039 respondents in the following 16 cities: Chandigarh, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Surat, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Kolkata, and Patna. Interviews were conducted in December 2021/January 2022. [2]https://www.girnationalpark.in/ [3]https://www.statista.com/statistics/207012/number-of-domestic-tourist-visits-in-india-since-2000/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20over%20610%20million,halted%20the%20trend%20in%202020.

Mumbai, April 13, 2022: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced the appointment of Renjie Wong as Area Director , India & South Asia (Mumbai) on April 1. He will be based in Mumbai managing West & South India, and will work with STB’s offices and representatives to oversee the Board’s destination promotion and marketing efforts to ensure that Singapore remains the top of mind leisure and business destination among Indian visitors. Renjie takes up his appointment at a time when Singapore, as part its easing of pandemic travel restrictions, has introduced the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) with effect from 1 April 2022. Under this, fully-vaccinated travelers from India are able to enjoy quarantine-free visits via any flight between the two countries. Speaking on how this appointment will help STB bolster its destination marketing in the country in this critical recovery phase and beyond, GB Srithar, Regional Director (India, Middle East & South Asia), Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We warmly welcome Renjie to our team in India. He brings with him varied experience and a global outlook, which will be key to us as we make strident advances towards tourism recovery. Pre Covid, India was the third largest visitor source market for Singapore and the top cruise source market. . With restrictions on travellers visiting Singapore being eased with effect from this month, we are excited to welcome back our friends and fans from India. Under our trade engagement theme ‘Charting our pathways to tourism recovery, together’, we are already working closely with our trade trade partner-friend to launch tactical packages for the upcoming summer and family holiday season. On the consumer engagement front, STB continues to showcase Singapore’s vibrant destination offerings to Indian travellers through fresh and innovative ways. Renjie will help drive these initiatives with particular focus on the West and South India regions.” Renjie Wong has been with the STB since 2016, where he has managed a portfolio of high-growth markets including Myanmar and Cambodia. He has also served a two-year stint in New York City and San Francisco, where he led the North American market in the areas of tech partnerships, MICE industry business development and marketing, and brand marketing partnerships across the continent. Prior to assuming his role as Area Director (Mumbai), he served as Assistant Director of Hospitality Industry Transformation, leading efforts to foster sustainable growth across the Singapore hospitality industry. “I am honoured to lead a dynamic team managing West and South India, particularly during this incredibly exciting time of global tourism recovery. We aim to grow Singapore’s reputation as the destination of choice for international outbound travel from India. I look forward to working together with our travel trade partner-friends and stakeholders in the years ahead, to welcome Indian travellers back to Singapore,” he said.

Mumbai, 11th April, 2022 – The Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum-ultra class ship, Spectrum Of The Seas, today sailed on its much awaited maiden voyage from Singapore. This commencement is part of Singapore’s resumption of safe cruise travel for international guests, with innovative solutions and rigorous protocols aimed at ensuring passenger wellbeing and enabling Singapore to re-establish its position as the premier cruising hub in the region. The award-winning Spectrum of the Seas presents guests with unique experiences such as the Sky Pad, virtual reality bungee trampoline, iFly, a skydiving simulator, and the Bionic Bar, where robots craft customised drinks, to name a few. Guests can choose from a breadth of luxurious accommodation options, including the Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multi-room retreat complete with its own in-suite slide and cinema, to staterooms with private balconies. Royal Caribbean International’s latest addition to Singapore’s cruise options offers Indian travellers an exciting opportunity to cruise out of Singapore. The introduction of Spectrum of the Seas will be welcomed by Indian travellers, who represented the top source market for Singapore’s cruise tourism in 2019. Cruising out of Singapore has traditionally been a popular offering among Indian families with young children, as well as with MICE travellers. With the post-pandemic resumption of international travel, the industry is seeing a strong resurgence in demand for cruise tourism, with Indian consumers looking forward to sailing again on top-of-range cruise experiences like Spectrum of the Seas. Speaking on the popularity of cruise tourism in India, Mr. GB Srithar, Regional Director, IMESA (India, Middle East & South Asia), Singapore Tourism Board said, “Singapore remains a major hub for cruise tourism, thanks to our strategic geographical location, robust infrastructure, and outstanding line up of cruising options. Pre-pandemic, the number of cruise passengers sailing in Southeast Asia was expected to grow up to 6.4 percent per annum, to reach an estimated 4.5m passengers by 2035. While cruise tourism has paused for the past two years, we are optimistic about capturing the resurging demand for cruise tourism. Singapore’s tourism players are continually reimagining tourism offerings both at sea and on land. Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas promises to offer an exhilarating experience, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences and luxurious amenities on board. We are proud of our cruise partners who have been agile and resilient in incorporating innovative solutions for stringent hygiene and safety standards, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable cruise travel experience.” While in Singapore, travellers can enjoy some of the country’s latest experiences, such as the Instagram-worthy Museum of Ice Cream, the open-air panoramic SkyHelix Sentosa, and Adventure HQ, Singapore’s first and largest multi-installation adventure centre. The city will see an exciting array of upcoming attractions, including the Slingshot, Asia's tallest slingshot ride at Clarke Quay, and the Jewel-rassic Quest, an immersive AR experience at Jewel Changi Airport’s Canopy Park and Shiseido Forest Valley, both slated to launch in 2H 2022. “We are excited to welcome back the Spectrum of the Seas to Singapore and look forward to many Indians cruising on it this summer, and beyond. The demand for this innovative ship by Royal Caribbean International has been very encouraging since we opened to bookings a couple of weeks back, and we expect this to get stronger with lesser travel restrictions to visit Singapore,” said Mr. Varun Chadha, CEO, TIRUN Travel Marketing, Exclusive India Representatives of Royal Caribbean Cruises. “Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas is opulence on the move. From luxury dining experiences and adventure sports to staying in some of the most luxurious suites, I was thoroughly impressed both by my stay on the ship, and by the new and reimagined experiences in Singapore. Thanks to the highest standards of safety and public hygiene standards put in place, I am looking forward for my Indian clients to experience the excitement of cruising out of Singapore again after two long years,” said Rahul Gaur, Senior Manager, B2B Sales, Leisure Travel, SOTC who was on board Spectrum of the Seas during its trial cruise from 2 to 4 April 2022. The Spectrum of the Seas will be undertaking sailing sailings between 11th April 2022 and 6th April 2023. Guests in India can now avail of a discount of 30% on the cruise fare*, and guests 12 & under can sail free* on select Spectrum of the Seas sailings. The offer applies to 3rd and 4th guests sharing the stateroom. These promotions can be availed by booking from 1 April to 2 May 2022. Travel trade partners who are interested in developing and marketing fly-cruise packages with min. 2-night pre-/post-stays can also tap on STB’s Cruise Development Fund (CDF), a financial support scheme created exclusively to encourage cruising from Singapore. * 30% off applies to cruise fare only. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional and applicable to all guests.

Mumbai, 6th April, 2022: Namami Wellness and Health Edu Pvt. Ltd, an emerging healthcare and hospitality company, has announced the launch of its futuristic wellness centre, Namami Health Retreat and Wellness Sanctuary, at the banks of Periyar River in Ernakulum, Kerala. This retreat provides education and services in wellness and health through the ancient sciences of Yoga, Ayurveda, and complementary alternative medicine while integrating scientific approaches to provide a holistic 360-degree approach to enhance life expectancy. Namami Health has partnered with different national and international organisations like The Yoga Institute, PNNM Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Lexi Health and Dr. Shetty’s Aesthetics to bring on board certified experts in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupuncture and fitness. The Namami Approach masters the field of Advanced Aesthetics by providing state-of-art Face and Body Contouring treatments with TESLA Former, Pollogen Maximus and Medifacial. It also offers different treatments and experiences under Complementary Alternate Medicine, Namami Integrative Methods and Health Technology. Equipped with modern science and advanced technology, the team at Namami offers differentiated ‘Wellness Formulas’, keeping the guest’s needs and requirements in mind. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Vikram Vishwanath, Founder & Director, Namami Wellness and Health Edu, says that, “Namami Health Retreat and Wellness Sanctuary is uniquely conceptualized to provide the best of both worlds and create a steady platform to combine remedial traditional wisdom with modern day science and technology. With an aim for all to lead a happier, and healthier version of oneself, our retreat goes beyond everyday wellness retreats and curates tailor made packages with best remedies, functional medicine, post-operative care, treatments, cuisines, activities and accommodation through strategic partnerships and associations in the lap of nature and luxury.” For families with children, the retreat host plenty of fun-filled activities to help develop a child’s cognitive skills and creativity. Indoor and outdoor activities are thoughtfully planned to engage every child’s interest and imagination. Focussing on Digital Detox, it engages in activities like flameless cooking, jungle gyms, yoga with kids, etc. Families together can take a leisure stroll in the Butterfly Garden, and enjoy bird watching, nature walks, treks and trails. The resort offers 79 rooms and villas, a range of culinary experiences, curated recreation spaces and a holistic approach towards a healthy lifestyle. The contemporary interiors expand the local living experience based on the traditional principles of architecture, construction and carpentry. Backed by the lush green forests of Kerala, Namami Health Retreat offers a peaceful environment for everyone on the road towards healthy lifestyle.

When traveling and choosing a destination, apart was the offerings of the destination, one of the very important factors taken into consideration especially over the past few years has been safety. Whether the person is a family traveler, a solo traveler, a millennial, young adults or even an elderly traveler choosing a destination that is safe and peaceful is a priority. The Global Peace Index (GPI) measures more than just the presence or absence of war. It captures the absence of violence or the fear of violence across three domains: Safety and Security, Ongoing Conflict, and Militarisation. Europe remains the most peaceful regions in the world and it is one of 3 regions to see an improvement in peacefulness on the 2021 GPI. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) published recently, the Czech Republic is the ninth most peaceful country in the world and in Europe Czech Republic the eighth most peaceful country. The country’s strongest points were safe communities, low crime rates, difficulty of accessing weapons and the low impact of terrorism. Furthermore, the capital city of Prague is considered one of the safest and most beautiful cities in the world, too. Choose your motivation, and choose your city, in the Czech Republic!

Nashik, April 6, 2021: With a strategic focus to expand the company’s footprint in Maharashtra by tapping into the high potential market of Nashik, SOTC Travel, a leading omnichannel travel and tourism company, recently inaugurated its new franchise outlet at Mico Circle. Located at the heart of the city, the new outlet will also cater to nearby areas of Sinnar, Devaly & Ozar. Nashik features an upcoming source market for SOTC Travel in Maharashtra and caters to the growing demand from millennial, multigenerational families, couples, Gen S and business owners. With the pandemic putting a halt on international travel, customers are once again planning their long awaited holidays for the upcoming summer season. In the new normal, customers are seeking guidance and reassurance of holiday experts to navigate through the dynamic changes in travel and health protocols. And hence to support and guide customers from Nashik, SOTC Travel’s expert holiday planners will provide the much needed assistance to customers and help plan the perfect holiday. Additionally, to strengthen customer confidence in travel, SOTC’s safety commitment, “TravShield” – with only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions, builds on its “Assured” travel safety protocols - developed in association with Apollo Clinics. TravShield & Assured together, ensure best in class safety and protection for travellers in the post Covid era, covering every distribution, delivery and partner touch point in the travel ecosystem. SOTC Travel’s internal survey highlights insightful travel trends from Nashik. A significant 70% of its customers are keen to take a summer holiday and to cater to the strong pent-up demand, SOTC Travel has introduced an array of special offers like Buy One Get One – Companion Free, air-inclusive holidays, Ultra-Flexible Holidays - 8 day tour featuring 5 days in Switzerland with the flexibility of choosing 3 days in either France, Italy or Austria – free; ready to book and customized air-inclusive holidays with Air Arabia and Vistara Getaways. Customers are also displaying growing interest for eclectic stays, experiential holidays, domestic cruises and biking trips. Catering to its vegetarian customers, the Company has also introduced dedicated vegetarian tours to select destinations in India. Long haul destinations driving demand from Nashik include Europe’s Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria; United Kingdom, USA (for visa holding customers), Australia, Mauritius, Turkey and Egypt; equally short haul favourites include Maldives, Dubai - Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Thailand and Nepal. Domestic summer favourite locales are Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Leh Ladakh, Uttarakhand Goa, Andamans, Kerala and the North East. SOTC Travel’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc. Contact Details SOTC Holiday World Indus Apartment Next to Ved Mandir, Near Mico Circle, Tidke Colony, Trimbak Road, Nashik – 422002 Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “Nashik is strongly emerging as a viable source market for SOTC. Maharashtra contributes a significant 35% to our overall SOTC holiday business and customers from Nashik have displayed over 2x growth in demand since the pandemic. To inspire the evolving travellers of Nashik take their much needed holiday, our new outlet in the heart of the city at Mico Circle was chosen to leverage its significant catchment across millennial, multigenerational families, couples, Gen S and business owners. We have introduced a host of special offers and products that are dedicated to cater to this market and its discerning travellers.” He added, “We are delighted to associate with Mr. Aditya Shekhar Patil as our franchise partner for our Nashik outlet. Being a travel enthusiast and having an extensive network in the region, he will assist SOTC to further strengthen our presence in this growing market and thereby assist our customers plan a perfect holiday. We extend a warm welcome to our Nashik based customers and our in-store experts look forward to co-curate and plan a memorable holiday for the upcoming summers.”

Mumbai, India- 3 April 2022: His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, CEO of the Film Commission, embarked on a visit to India to showcase Saudi Arabia’s booming film industry and explore collaborations with the Indian film faternity. Over the three-day visit, they were joined by executives from NEOM, Film AIUla, Red Sea International Film Festival and MBC Group. The visit saw the delegation meet with leading Bollywood actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, as well as prominent film production houses. The insightful conversations centered around Saudi Arabia’s holistic film proposition and synergistic opportunities for Indian filmmakers. Aspects discussed included the breadth of filming locations in the Kingdom and the Red Sea, emerging industry talent in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, as well as the burgeoning film ecosystem to support the Kingdom’s ambition for the sector. Saudi Arabia proactively facilitates regulation to support Indian filmmakers by offering competitive incentives and promotion programs. The Red Sea International Film Festival, quickly establishing itself on the regional and global stage, was also highlighted as an opportunity for the Indian film industry to showcase its creative output and engage with audiences in Saudi Arabia. The Festival’s success also stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution of the Kingdom’s film industry, as it sets its sights on becoming the Middle East’s new film industry powerhouse. His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, stated: “In an increasingly interconnected world, it is now more vital than ever to facilitate meaningful cultural exchange. Film remains a powerful tool to open hearts and minds, while the culture sector holds immense potential as an economic contributor. Our visit to India has enabled us to strengthen our relationship with this nation’s thriving film industry. We look forward to exploring partnership and knowledge-sharing opportunities as we continue to work towards realizing Vision 2030.” Abdullah Al-Qahtani, CEO of the Film Commission, said: “With fast-developing infrastructure, promising talent and picturesque locations waiting to be discovered, Saudi Arabia is ready to be an exciting, unique setting for filmmakers. We are pleased to have been able to interact with leading members of the Indian film industry on this visit and are excited about working together to take the Kingdom’s film sector to greater heights.” As part of its Vision 2030 national transformation plan, Saudi Arabia aims to leverage bilateral relations to make culture a way of Saudi life and a powerful economic contributor.

New Delhi, 31st March, 2022: Madhya Pradesh is a state that reflects the true cultural heritage of Incredible India. Being one of the forerunners among the economically rising states of incredible India, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board actively participated in ITM 2022 (India Travel Mart) held at Tivoli Boutique Hotel, Lawrence Road, Britannia Chowk, New Delhi, 110035. The ITM has provided unique platform for all stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries to interact and transact business opportunities. The exhibition saw top-notch, industry influencers, travel enthusiasts, corporate, business heads, travel operators and media professionals from different corner of the country, who came to visit MPT stall, exchanging views and opinions on Madhya Pradesh Tourism and expand their knowledge spectrum, new developments and itinerary offerings. India Travel Mart is a One Stop Shop where the upward moving & high earning consumers interact with the Tourism Boards, Travel Partners and Affiliated Service providers, which helps them in promoting the beauty and the benefits of the destination. This event strives to foster a healthy environment for business to client or business to business organizations all across the globe. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Devendra Rai, Resident Manager, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd Said- “Madhya Pradesh has various activities planned, which will make it a tourist friendly destination and promote inbound tourism. The state has a great potential to offer tourism attractions in the areas of wildlife, pilgrimage, heritage and leisure to help build a foundation in different regions of the country’s Tourism sector. MP Tourism offers 68 properties in the most beautiful location of Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh has mixed offering of exotic places, historic marvels, home of wildlife animals and warm hearted people. It has become a holiday spot for celebrities, businesses, friends, individuals and families. The major attraction of tourist comes in from wildlife, pilgrimage, heritage and leisure. Participation in ITM Delhi 2022 has provided MP Tourism an opportunity to showcase its beauty and versatility and educate consumers on the latest offerings and world class tourism facilities of MP

Mumbai, March 28, 2022 – DBS Bank India has partnered with EaseMyTrip to launch an environment-friendly international debit card made using 99% recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The digibank EaseMyTrip Green Debit Card provides exclusive travel-related offers to customers and rewards them for adopting eco-friendly practices while encouraging them to reduce their carbon footprint. Recycled PVC material is quickly gaining popularity worldwide due to the lower carbon emissions generated from its production processes. By launching an eco-friendly debit card, DBS Bank India and EaseMyTrip are enabling their customer base to make sustainable choices, thereby conserving the environment and resources involved in the production of cards. The digibank EaseMyTrip Green Debit Card offers exclusive best-in-class deals on bookings made through the EaseMyTrip website and mobile app, offering a 10% discount up to INR 2000 on flight ticket bookings and up to 17% discount on stays at select eco-friendly hotels & resorts. This international debit card provides customers with special recognition and discounts globally across retail, dining, travel and entertainment establishments. Among the travel benefits, cardmembers have one airport lounge access per quarter across India. This card allows withdrawal up to INR 1,50,000 per day from any bank's ATM in India and overseas and allows purchases worth up to INR 1,50,000 in India and up to INR 1,00,000 across merchant outlets globally. Existing digibank customers can apply for this co-branded debit card through the digibank app, while new customers can download the app in just a few clicks and apply for the same during their digibank account opening journey. Kartik Jain, Head - Product, Platform & Partnerships, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank India, said, "We believe in inclusive sustainability. digibank by DBS - India's first digital bank - delivers a paperless, straight-through experience across all the banking transactions helping you to go green, even as you live more, bank less. The digibank EaseMyTrip Green Debit Card made from 99% recycled PVC builds on this ethos providing customers with a unique international debit card made from sustainable material and rewards that encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. We are excited about this offering as it aligns with DBS' commitment to supporting sustainable business practices that positively impact the community and the environment." Speaking about the partnership, Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, said, "Sustainability has been a key focus at EaseMyTrip. We have been actively looking to incorporate practices that align with our vision of a sustainable future. The rewards provided for the patronage of eco-friendly establishments will also encourage travellers to opt for sustainable travel and tourism options, thereby making the adoption of eco-friendly practices an enticing choice for customers. Through this collaboration with digibank by DBS, we look forward to creating a positive impact on our industry and the environment and will look at further integrating sustainability-focused methods across our offerings." Through this collaboration, EaseMyTrip aims to promote sustainability and incentivise sustainable tourism. This is further encouraged by the numerous rewards offered through the digibank EaseMyTrip Green Debit Card for people opting for eco-friendly and sustainable booking options through the EaseMyTrip website and mobile app. The bank furthers its commitment towards sustainability with this eco-friendly card that helps reduce the carbon footprint. Customers will also be able to proactively check their carbon footprint and contribute towards a greener planet through the carbon calculator now live on https://go.dbs.com/greencard. The digibank EaseMyTrip Green Debit Card with a green skyline of a montage of key sights around the world upholds the bank's sustainability proposition whilst reflecting its partnership with EaseMyTrip. The silver coat embedded with travel-related graphics in green gives a premium look to the card. The 'recycle' icon reminds users to continue making sustainable choices in their day-to-day lives. DBS Bank has been committed to conducting business more sustainably and managing its environmental footprint. The bank has undertaken several initiatives to support and address crucial ecological, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. In 2020, DBS Bank introduced a wholly digital and innovative payments solution for Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCIL). The solution enables TCIL to make real-time payments into the bank accounts of the fleet operators and drivers, eliminating the need to travel to a local centre to collect payments. DBS also advocates the scaling up of transition finance and supporting like-minded clients and their ecosystem of supply chain partners to adopt sustainable business practices. To scale up India's cotton industry, the bank partnered with fashion retailer Inditex, one of the world's largest retailers, to arrange financing for the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to procure organic cotton from the farmers in a timely fashion. In 2020, DBS issued its first two green loans in India totalling INR 10.5 billion to CapitaLand, breaking new ground for its sustainable financing agenda. *T&C apply

New Delhi, India, 28th March, 2022- Accor announced Vinay Gupta’s appointment as the Director of Operations for ibis and ibis Styles, India portfolio. Vinay is a veteran in the Hospitality sector with over 25 years of experience managing hotels, alongside being the founder of an aspirational Food & Beverage concept, with his last role being Vice President at SAMHI Hotels. Throughout his impressive career span of 25 years as a hotelier, he has handled different roles from being in an entry level role to managing different portfolios for a single brand, to being a General Manager of different hotels across three different continents. This is Vinay’s second inning with Accor, as he was responsible for the opening of Grand Mercure at Bangalore in capacities of General Manager in 2008. Vinay has an MBA Degree from The University of Central Lancashire, UK and a Diploma in Hospitality from IHM, Pusa Road. He also holds a BA Hons in Hospitality from Lancaster University, UK. On his appointment, Vinay Gupta, Director of Operations- ibis & ibis Styles India said, “I am delighted and honored to be back with Accor, it feels like homecoming in so many ways. Ibis has had a great journey with 20 hotels currently operating across the nation and five under development. ibis and ibis Styles are the fun and youthful global brand by Accor, I look forward to work on taking it to newer heights. We have a highly motivated and exceptional team that runs our hotels as well as a strong and loyal guest base. I look forward to being a part of this exciting journey ahead.” On this occasion, Puneet Dhawan, Senior VP Operations, India & South Asia for Accor, “We are thrilled to welcome Vinay back to the Accor family with this new and exciting role. Our Ibis portfolio continues to grow from strength to strength and I am sure his insights and support will be invaluable for the team as we continue to expand the portfolio in the coming years.” Congratulating Vinay, JB Singh, President & CEO- InterGlobe Hotels, said, “We are delighted to welcome Vinay to Interglobe & the ibis family. He holds a rich and a diverse experience in this industry and brings strong expertise with him. We are confident that his knowledge and approach to the business along with his passionate outlook will help us grow aggressively over the next few years.”

On 9 March 2022, Ms. Nichapa Yoswee, Vice President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, attended a meeting with the Eastern Economic Corridor Committee chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, together with high-ranking representatives from authoritative entities. From this meeting, the “Thailand International Air Show” project has been granted approval, to be hosted the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and supported by TCEB and Royal Thai Navy. According to TCEB’s proposed feasibility studies, the “Thailand International Air Show” will stage an official announcement in 2023, the official soft-launch opening in 2025 and the full-scale event in 2027 with main objectives to inaugurate and create world’s awareness on the new U-tapao International Airport as well as to promote EEC through this global exhibition as the key mechanism to revive, drive and reignite Thailand’s exhibition industry to go forward and grow substantially. Moreover, this show aims to connect the aviation and logistics industry in EEC with relevant industrial and business sectors. It is forecast that throughout the 5 continuous editions, this biennial event will promote the GDP expansion by over USD 144 million, create more than 18,760 jobs, stimulate tax revenue beyond USD 54 million, and tremendously benefit Thailand’s exhibition and MICE industries in terms of social, economic and environmental impacts, under the “Thailand 4.0” national strategy and EECO’s development policies.

Healthcare and trade professionals representing nearly 160 countries will participate in Arab Health and Medlab Middle East as the largest healthcare and laboratory exhibitions in the MENA region return to Dubai next week. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from Monday 24 January until Thursday 27, under the show themes of ‘United by business, forging ahead’ and ‘Connect with innovation that's changing the face of diagnostics’, the co-located events will provide a platform for the global healthcare industry to meet and discuss the latest technologies and medical discoveries. Solenne Singer, Group Director for Informa Markets, said, “Arab Health and Medlab Middle East will once again reiterate the importance of the healthcare and laboratory industries as we continue to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 and provide a platform for developing solutions to overcome the pandemic." “We have witnessed a clear uptick in demand from both buyers and exhibitors eager to meet in-person, to see firsthand the latest technology and innovation on the market, while also hearing from industry professionals from around the world on the latest trends and insights. This year, both events will be integral to ongoing global recovery, and we look forward to welcoming the industry to Dubai.” More than 60,000 attendees are expected across the four days of both shows, with almost 4,000 exhibitors from the healthcare and laboratory industries confirmed. More than 60 countries are represented, with over 20 dedicated country pavilions confirmed, making Arab Health and Medlab Middle East a genuinely global healthcare showcase. Underscoring the focus on technology, Arab Health 2022 will feature the new Healthcare Transformation Zone which will explore the latest tech advancements from global innovators and disruptors. The popular start-up competition, Innov8 Talks returns and will feature 24 companies showcasing unique and innovative solutions Rounding out the Transformation Zone will be the launch of the Product Showcase segment, where a range of companies will be showcasing ground-breaking innovations shaping the future of the healthcare and laboratory industries. The innovation theme will continue through returning exhibitors, including Siemens, Canon, Masimo, Drager, GE Healthcare, Philips, Abbott, Roche, and Seegene. In another first for both events is the launch of the Future Health Summit. The high-level event will be attended by over 150 senior government healthcare officials, CEOs and visionaries, from across the globe. Moderated by Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director, Dubai Science Park, panellists include Alaa Murabit, Medical Doctor, Global Security Strategist, Women’s Rights Advocate and United Nations High-Level Commissioner on Health, Employment & Economic Growth; Dr Sameh El-Saharty, Program Leader for Human Development, GCC Country Department, The World Bank; Päivi Sillanaukee, Ambassador for Health and Wellbeing, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Veronica Beneitez Piñero, Deputy Head of Unit, Transition and Business Acceleration Services Unit, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, European Commission. As part of the Arab Health Congress, more than 550 regional and international speakers and over 2,500 delegates will participate in 12 Continuing Medical Education (CME). Conferences taking place onsite at the event include Total Radiology, Orthopaedics, Surgery, and Obs & Gyne, Other online conferences include Quality Management in Healthcare, Family Medicine, ENT, and Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. With a total of nine conferences, Medlab Middle East Congress remains one of the largest CME accredited multi-track medical laboratory congresses globally, featuring over 100 renowned laboratory champions from around the world. Eight conferences will take place live, in-person, and online, the new bonus track, Future of Lab. As part of Informa's commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the event will again take place under the protocols introduced via the company’s Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate. The enhanced measures include 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, social distancing measures, and the use of PPE, screening, and a track and trace in conjunction with local authorities. Both exhibitions are held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Dubai Healthcare Authority. Starting at 10 Am on Monday, 24 January, Arab Health and Medlab Middle East continue until 5 Pm Thursday, 27 January. For more information, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com or www.medlabme.com.

25 December 2021, Kolkata: The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee during the Christmas Eve inaugurated a special exhibition on the various pictures of St. Francis of Assisi - the Patron Saint of Environment and the originator of the tradition of cribs - on Christmas eve. The Archbishop of Calcutta, His Grace, Thomas D’Souza, Kolkata Police Commissioner, Soumen Mitra, Swiss Ambassador in India, Dr Ralf Heckner, Mr Umesh Chowdhary, Swiss Honorary Consul in Kolkata, industrialist Mr Pramode Kumar Agarwal and other dignitaries were present. The pictorial displays of St Francis of Assisi at the exhibition, have been conceptualised by Church Art and would be installed in the Cathedral premises to inspire and motivate people to love and protect Mother Earth. “This year, as Christians heed to the call of green Christmas, tradition recalls a Catholic saint who returned to nature by promoting “presepio vivente” - a living crib. A crib, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The origin of the Christmas Crib or Manger or Nativity scene is often first ascribed to Saint Francis of Assisi, who, in 1223 AD, celebrated the `Feast of the Nativity’ in a new way that led to a new devotional practice popular even today,” said Fr Franklin Menezes, Parish Priest of The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, Burrabazar. The Cathedral was founded on 1799. Fr. Franklin Menezes called on everyone to respect and protect Mother nature and earth’s environment. The Cathedral is celebrating a green Christmas to spread environmental awareness and practice in daily life the conservation of nature and its resources. Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds, the Magi, and angels may be displayed near the manger. Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world and are displayed during the Christmas season in churches, homes, shopping malls, and other venues, and occasionally on public places and in public buildings. The Vatican has displayed a scene in St. Peter's Square near its Christmas tree since 1982 and the Pope has for many years blessed the mangers of children assembled in St. Peter's Square for a special ceremony. In 2015, the first ever crib set depicting Jesus’ birth from India, designed by Kolkata-based organization Church Art, was added to the International Nativity Museum of Bethlehem’s collection of 223 nativity representations from over 93 countries. The International Nativity Museum in Bethlehem, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is currently located close to the Church of Bethlehem which is considered to be the spot where Jesus was born. Local lore passed down from ancient times holds that the three travelers or Magi who were guided by a star had passed through this path where the International Nativity Museum now stands. History tells us that St. Francis of Assisi was inspired by his visit to the Holy Land in 1219 where he had been shown Jesus's traditional birthplace. It was in 1223 that the first crèche was celebrated in the woods of Greccio near Assisi, on Christmas Eve. St. Francis’ idea of bringing Bethlehem into one’s own town spread quickly all over the Christian world, and soon after the death of Francis in 1226 there were Christmas cribs in churches and homes. The home crib became popular in Catholic Europe after 1600, owing, it is said, to the efforts of the Capuchins.

VFS Global has been nominated the new Trade and Marketing Agency for Turismo de Portugal, the official Tourism Board for Portugal, responsible for building destination awareness in the market, attracting more visitor footfall from India, and positioning Portugal as the leading destination for travellers across segments. In its role, VFS Global will help establish a bigger media outreach for Turismo de Portugal, providing them the latest updates about the destination, and keeping the travel trade up to date on the most recent and relevant information on places, products, and experiences. Additionally, there will be a focus on building corporate and airline partnerships to establish Portugal as a preferred destination in the Indian market. "Since the opening of our Turismo de Portugal office in 2020, based in New Delhi, our aim is to work with the entire Indian market. This is a very strong commitment, and we have selected VFS Global as our local Travel Trade and PR Agency to help us with this thrilling and huge task, with two major objectives. First one is to increase awareness about Portugal as a tourist destination and the second one, of course, is to increase partnerships with different tour operators and travel agencies to increase their knowledge and expertise on Portugal and to create the best conditions for these potential partners to bring more business here from India," said Claudia Matias, Director - India, Turismo de Portugal. “Portugal is the ideal destination for Indian travellers across segments and budgets, with an array of offerings from traditional tourist activities such as night life and nature to bespoke experiences including destination weddings and large family getaways. From sandy beaches to lush vineyards, this Southern European country has a range of activities, attractions and experiences for Free and Independent Travellers (FITs), well-travelled and first-time Indian tourists. We look forward to promoting the wonders of Portugal to customers through our partners and media here in India,” said Arzan Khambatta, Head – Tourism Services, VFS Global. Travellers can lose themselves in the history of heritage sites such as the Monastery of Alcobaça & Batalha and the Convent of the Order of Christ in Tomar; indulge in experiences like the Douro River Cruise and explore Porto, an ancient city, whose historic centre has been classified as World Heritage; get the adrenaline flowing with equestrian and water sports, feel one with nature on the many hiking and cycling trails, star gazing nights, whale and dolphin watching excursions, and visits to Geopark Serra da Estrela and Berlenga Biosphere reserve, host MICE activities and groups in the many state-of-the-art, luxurious venues available, and so much more. Portugal is also an encounter with spirituality. The Portuguese Road to Santiago and the Paths of Fátima are increasingly sought out by those who like walking a purpose, focusing on knowledge, nature and culture. Portugal has something for everyone and for the foodies, the mastery of talented chefs has also raised Portuguese cooking to the heights of the best cuisines in the world. One of the things that tourists notice most when they visit Portugal, is the hospitality and friendliness of the Portuguese, who are always ready to help if they are stopped on the street and asked for information. Perhaps it is the sun which gives us a good disposition, to welcome anyone, wherever they’re from. Portugal has 7 regions, which means that it has a lot to visit and discover. #YouCantSkipPortugal.

Balmond Studio is delighted to unveil their latest project, the stunning new beach front residential development Southbeach Weligama, Sri Lanka which has now launched for sale globally. The development, due to be completed in 2023, includes 106 one, two, and four-bedroom apartments with freehold prices starting from $150,000 USD for a limited period. This, coupled with direct airlinks to European, Central and East Asian markets, provides international buyers with a unique investment opportunity, like those seen in Thailand before its boom. Sri Lanka is fast becoming a must-visit global destination, and Weligama town has already seen its beach front land value increase by 84% since 2016. This exciting project brings a new offering to Weligama; with lifestyle-led residences that include state-of-the-art amenities such as a restaurant, poolside bar, gym, 35m swimming pool, an art gallery and a music room; providing a five-star hotel experience at a more long-term affordable price. Weligama is also home to one of Sri Lanka’s few swim-friendly beaches, with a sea that attracts surfers who are seeking exciting new breaks. When you invest in a property at Weligama, you are investing in breakfast by the pool with the turquoise Indian Ocean for company, afternoons spent surfing and snorkelling off catamarans, and evenings watching the sunset from the Southbeach Weligama bar. Designed by Balmond Studio, who are entering an exciting new chapter of ground-breaking design in Sri Lanka, these luxurious residences are set to become one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting new addresses. Distilling years of experience into the design, the apartments feature high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, with oxidised copper façades and balconies with blue-green glass to perfectly complement the colours of the ocean and coconut trees which are just a stone’s throw away. Southbeach Weligama reflects a celebration of a new ‘young and vibrant’ Sri Lanka, encapsulating the trend for modern coastal living and inspired by local artisans: ‘Design led; Sri Lanka inspired’. At the forefront of Southbeach Weligama is a philosophy of sustainability supported by Balmond Studio Colombo’s Managing Director, John Balmond, a dedicated committee member of the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), who work with local communities to provide them with the education and tools needed to bring about long-term ecological change. With this commitment to sustainability in mind, for every apartment sold Southbeach Weligama will donate $1,000 to the LEF, while the development also aims to meet the Platinum requirements of the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. Prioritising the synergy between renewable energy and design, Southbeach Weligama will use turbines and solar panels to power the lobby and restaurant areas while rainwater harvesting systems will be utilised to conserve water. The cornerstone of Balmond Studio’s ethos is to empower local communities by using local produce in the restaurant and furnishing the apartments with pieces crafted by Sri Lankan artisans. John Balmond, Managing Director Balmond Studio Colombo commented, “We are incredibly excited about the Southbeach Weligama project, as it marks the beginning of a new phase in Balmond Studio’s growth as specialists in modern lifestyle design. We want to use this platform to shine a spotlight on the excellence of Sri Lankan craftmanship, all the furniture will be made by local artisans. Community also lies at the heart of everything we do, and we believe that involves helping local communities to prosper.” Balmond Studio is responsible for the design of Gal Oya Lodge, a unique ecolodge in the heart of one of Sri Lanka’s most remote wilderness areas, while also acting as architectural consultants for Port City Colombo a brand-new development with the vision of building a world-class city in South Asia. Creating the Port City Colombo sales gallery, Balmond Studio designed the building in a unique octagonal structure to represent it's commitment to modern architectural design in Sri Lanka Balmond Studio also helped develop Cinnamon Life, a 4.5 million sq. ft integrated mixed-use development and Sri Lanka’s largest single private investment. Designed to transform the social, cultural, and architectural paradigms of Sri Lanka, the project is a perfect urban sanctuary right in the heart of Colombo, offering luxury apartments featuring a blend of contemporary comfort and stylish sophistication. For more information, please visit: www.southbeachweligama.com

The Ministry of Tourism has the honor to inform the public and international tourists that, with the permission granted by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia will be reopening to international visitors beginning with Preah Sihanouk City and Koh Rong City of Preah Sihanouk province, and Dara Sakor tourist resort in Koh Kong province from 30 November 2021 onward. This will be followed by the reopening of Siem Reap province in January 2022. The reopening is being implemented within the framework of "vaccinated" tourism program which allows international visitors to enjoy a quarantine-free stay and visit in Safe and Green Destinations for up to 5 days. Tourists visiting under this program will be required to submit themselves to rapid Covid-19 antigen test only upon arrival at the airport. If the test result is negative, the visitors will enjoy free movement within the designated Safe and Green Destinations, where all tourism business and service establishments have been inspected in advance to ensure their compliance with the standard operation procedures (SOP) and tourism safety measures. Foreign tourists visiting under this program can apply for tourism visa type T at Cambodian Embassy or Consular Office in their respective countries. Alternatively, they can also apply for E-Visa. Their visit falls under the Covid-19 vaccinated tourism package category or is part of family or small groups of high-end visitors who have been injected with adequate doses of vaccine against Covid.19. To meet the requirements of this reopening program, foreign visitors shall attach the following documents when applying for Cambodian visa: An authentic/legitimate certificate confirming injection of adequate doses of vaccine against Covid-19, Address of booked and paid-for accommodation in Safe and Green Destinations, Health insurance for travel to Cambodia, including insurance for any eventual Covid­19 treatment, and insurance to reimburse any eventual cancelation of the already booked tourism services in Cambodia, Flight ticket, A 'no Covid-19 infection' certificate issued 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure, and History of travel during the 14-day period prior to departing to Cambodia. International tourists coming under this program will be required to submit themselves for PCR test - with the purpose to ensure that they are Covid-19 negative - one (1) day before leaving the designated Safe and Green Destinations to travel to other areas in the country or to leave Cambodia altogether. Public and International travelers are to be informed accordingly.

Singapore, 29 October 2021 – Today marks the successful conclusion of the extensive event programme, networking opportunities and business-driven discussions at ITB Asia 2021. For the first time, Asia’s leading travel trade show spanned an entire week, and as usual covered both current and forward-looking leisure, MICE, corporate travel and travel technology topics. An impressive 42,100 business meetings and exchanges were recorded throughout the week, representing an increase of 31 percent from 2020. The event hosted over 900 buyers and 400 sponsors & exhibitors from around the world who participated in the show's vibrant agenda of conferences and networking sessions, supported by leading global companies and destinations, including Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Busan Tourism Organisation, Business Events Perth, Danang Center for Tourism Promotion, Department of Information and Tourism,Taipei City Government, Far East Hospitality, Frasers Hospitality, Goyang Convention Bureau, Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation, Jeju Convention Bureau, Leningrad Region, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Organisation, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Melia Hotels Group, St. Petersburg Convention Bureau, United Airlines, Worldhotels Collection, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Yokohama Convention Bureau. The show featured more than 3,200 exhibitor showcases, creating a favorable marketplace for buyers and sellers to engage in meaningful business meetings and discussions. Asia’s leading travel trade show, which was eagerly awaited by the industry, was hosted virtually on the well-established online platform, ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community). Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia shared: “We are proud that with this year’s virtual ITB Asia, we were once again able to provide a unique meeting platform for the travel industry in surely one of the most challenging times. I am very pleased with the outcome of the show. Building on our experience with the virtual edition last year, we were able to further expand the event format and give our clients more opportunities for interactive engagements with the travel community. We look forward to welcoming the industry back in-person in Singapore from 19 – 21 October 2022, bringing back human connections through face-to-face business meetings and networking sessions. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank this year’s Elite Partners, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, for their support and cooperation over the past months”. Recovery and growth of travel represented the 2021 conference theme Under the overarching theme of “The Decade Ahead: Braving New Realities in Travel”, this year’s conference programme delivered captivating insights on how to lead the industry towards recovery and growth, setting the tone for the changes that the industry is likely to see in the next months. Over 150 key industry experts delivered fascinating insights at the keynote sessions, as well as focused topics for the MICE and Corporate segment, Leisure Travel, the Travel Tech space and Tours, Activities & Attractions amongst others. With the virtual format of the trade show, over 250 sessions have been made available on-demand for all registered delegates to view and watch again till 28 November 2021. The following is an overview of a selection of exciting sessions and speakers from the past conference: What Will Your Future Cruise Look Like? Ben Angell, Vice President & Managing Director, APAC, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Rebuilding Travel Post-Vaccine Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) When Will Asia Pacific Travel Again? Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director & Vice President Asia Pacific, Booking.com The New Normal for the Hotel Business Nicolas Huss, CEO, Hotelbeds Carlos Muñoz, CCO, Hotelbeds The Evolution of the Traveller Through COVID-19 Stephen Kaufer, President & CEO, Tripadvisor Sessions led by MICE profiles Beyond Hybrid – The Future of Experiential Anna Patterson, Vice President & Managing Director, George P. Johnson (Singapore) Private Limited Experience Marketing What US Corporations Are Saying About Incentive Trave Aoife Delaney, President, SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence The New Agents of Change Dan Rivlin, CEO, Kenes Group Leadership in Times of Crisis Jocelyne Mülli, Managing Director, K.I.T. Group GmbH Sessions led by Corporate Travel profiles Back on the Road – New Era, New Rules! Will Business Travel Be the Same Again? Bertrand Saillet, Managing Director, FCM Travel Asia Environmental, Social and Governance: Business Travel’s Responsibilities Brett Thomson, General Manager, Corporate Travel, TAG Global Travel and Events Navigating Through the Industry’s Greatest Crisis Carl Jones, Vice President, Head of Strategy, Asia Pacific, SAP Concur How Digital Nomads and Bleisure Are Re-Defining the Future of Business Travel David Hughes, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, UNIGLOBE Travel International High Touch Service in the Digital Age Jane Warren, CEO, APAC & ME, Reed & Mackay Business Travel Post-Vaccine: A Reset for 2022 Michelle McKinney Frymire, CEO, CWT Corporate Travel Megatrends Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA - Global Business Travel Association Sessions led by Accommodation and Hotels profiles COVID-19 – Emerging Stronger and Better David Kong, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group How the Extended-Stay Segment is Leading the Journey to Recovery Dean Schreiber, CEO, Oakwood Asia Pacific Recovery: How Hoteliers Can Reignite Confidence in Travel Joon Aun Ooi, President, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Shifting Sands: How We Can Adapt to Changing Perceptions of Travel Michael Marshall, CCO, Minor Hotels Restoring Travellers’ Confidence Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director - APAC, WorldHotels The Future of Family Travel: RE-connecting or DE-connecting? Rachael Harding, CEO of East, South Asia and Pacific, Club Med Banking on Technology and EQ to Thrive Through the Recovery and Beyond Rainer Stampfer, President, Hotel Operations - APAC, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts People, Communities and Our Big Opportunity Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts A CEO’s Vision of Recovery and Opportunity William (Bill) J. Hornbuckle, CEO & President, MGM Resorts International Sessions led by Travel Technology profiles How Will Technology Change Travel? Eric Bailey, Global Director, Travel, Meetings & Payments, Microsoft Shane O'Flaherty, Global Director, Travel, Transport, Logistics & Hospitality, Microsoft Technology, Travel and COVID Recovery John Brown, CEO, Agoda Timothy Hughes, Vice President, Corporate Development, Agoda Accelerating Hospitality’s Recovery: The Vital Role of Technology Patrick Andres, Regional Vice President Asia-Pacific, Oracle Hospitality Technology and the Future of Travel Renaud Nicolle, Senior Vice President, Business Travel, Amadeus, Asia Pacific Sessions led by Tours, Activities & Attractions profiles The Next Generation of Technological Innovation in the Travel Sector Dana Dunne, CEO, eDreams ODIGEO How Will Tours & Activities Support the Return of Travel? David Schelp, CEO of TUI Musement, Member of the TUI Group Executive Committee New Ways of Generating Business for Tours and Activities Enrique Ybarra, Founder, President & CEO, City Sightseeing Worldwide The Future of Travel Experiences - Adopting Digital While Retaining a Genuine Human Touch Hamish Keith, CEO, EXO Travel Group The Tomorrow’s DMCs Stephan Roemer, CEO, Diethelm Travel Group Making Every Travel Experience Count Through Sustainability Wolf Paunic, President, Trafalgar Save the date: ITB Asia 2022 live in Singapore again Next year’s edition of ITB Asia is scheduled to take place as an in-person event in Singapore from 19-21 October 2022. Stand registration for ITB Asia 2022 is available through this link. For more information on ITB Asia 2022, the sales brochure can be downloaded here.

DUBAI, 24 October 2021 – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has commended the UAE leadership for delivering a meaningful World Expo, despite challenges caused by the pandemic, describing Expo 2020 Dubai as a solid building block towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the road to Agenda 2030. Visiting Expo 2020 Dubai as part of the United Nations Honour Day on Sunday, Mohammed was welcomed by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020 Dubai. Amina Mohammed said: “With 192 nations represented, Expo is an auspicious occasion to mark 76 years of multilateralism… of nations and people working together towards a better world for everyone, guided by our founding document, the Charter of the United Nations…I’m very heartened to hear that sustainability is a common theme in all pavilions and that the SDGs are incorporated in many of the Expo’s presentations. “I offer my sincere gratitude and recognise the leadership of the UAE for bringing the world together, nations united, here at the Expo, and for doing so with so much grace, efficiency and inspiration, and for being a generous and reliable partner to the United Nations in our humanitarian and development cause.” Mohammed commended Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, describing the Expo 2020 Director General as an inspiration and an incredible leader. “I have watched you put on paper what the aspirations of this nation are, and to bring them to realisation here. That is leadership. At a time when there is a dark cloud, you have presented a real vision for what we can do to recover better, for how the world can look beyond the UAE – beyond your neighbourhood – into this global community. You’ve given hope and a sense of dignity to everyone that has participated in this Expo. On this incredible day for the UN, which we are all a part of, we need that; we need that hope to carry with us.” Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali said: “Today we recognise the pivotal role that the United Nations plays in galvanising action towards affecting real change through the value and power of multilateralism. Located in Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, the #UNHub examines how to unlock the potential of individuals and communities in creating positive change for people and planet. “The #UNHub also focuses on programming that champions international cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Decade of Action. The United Nations has partnered with Expo 2020 Dubai through comprehensive programming and a series of events and cultural activities that engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds, complementing and amplifying Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet.” UN Honour Day is being marked with a variety of events at Al Wasl Plaza and the #UNHub, including a cultural performance by the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) – a group of young musicians from the UAE and the Arab world devoted to cultivating the musical talent of youth – and the opening of a photography exhibition marking the UN’s 76th anniversary. The exhibition – #TheWorldWeWant – runs until the conclusion of Expo 2020, and has been curated from more than 50,000 images from 130-plus countries. It is located at the plaza of Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion just across from the #UNHub, which is also hosting a special SDG Art Exhibit, with original pieces by artists from around the world, aimed at inspiring action and understanding of the SDGs. National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to mark each of Expo’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture, achievements and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances. Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

DUBAI, 2 October 2021 – Sir Tim Smit KBE will take the mic at the World Majlis, as part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Climate & Biodiversity Week. The world-renowned ecological expert will share his insights on advancing ecological protection via diplomacy, as part of the session titled Nature’s Game of Jenga: Getting Creative to Fight Biodiversity Loss, held in collaboration with Switzerland on Sunday 3 October from 1600-1800 in the Terra Auditorium. Sir Tim has been pivotal in developing Expo 2020’s Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. He is Co-Founder of the UK’s eco-attraction the Eden Project, which transformed a china clay pit into the world’s largest indoor rainforest and has attracted more than 22 million people since it opened in 2001. Sir Tim Smit KBE said: “Eden is immensely proud to have been offered the opportunity to create marvellous things inside Terra with genius designer Tom Hennes of Thinc Design. We knew it would have to be brave and startling to capture the imagination of people from all over the world coming to be inspired and entertained. “The Expo team deserve huge credit for encouraging the creatives to go for their shots, raising emotionally interesting and challenging questions, and ultimately asking all of us: how would we like to be remembered 100 years from now? “In our view, this is the world’s first rock’n’roll science centre. Congratulations to all. We loved working on it and we look forward to this being just the start of something very special indeed.” Eden Project’s work has expanded to other countries, including Costa Rica’s tropical forest. Sir Tim is also Executive Co-Chair for Eden Project International, which aims to have an Eden Project on every habited continent by 2025. Sir Tim will be joined by Professor Alexandre Roulin from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. In collaboration with Switzerland, the Maldives and the UK, the World Majlis kicks off its series of 52 conversations with four events, each featuring up to 10 globally recognised thought-leaders and decision-makers, to answer the question: “What if we could do more to save the planet?”. World Majlis guests will also speak about why humanity needs to reinvent its relationship with nature and how to do it; opportunities in engineering climate solutions through technological innovations; how to think of sustainability as an accessible opportunity for all; and the importance of empowering more women to address climate change.

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 11: Kerala Tourism Department today launched its mobile app which ensures a hassle-free travel for tourists coming to Kerala and giving them an opportunity to discover unexplored attractions themselves and record their impressions during the visit. Super star Mohanlal unveiled the app at The Raviz, Kovalam, in the presence of Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas. Dr V Venu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala Tourism, was also present. “Besides providing all information about destinations and services at your fingertips, a key feature of this app is that it identifies unexplored destinations in all panchayats in Kerala. It will help attractive local tourist spots to grab global attention”, Shri Mohamed Riyas said. Shri Mohanlal said that the launch of the app would be a blessing for travellers, who would like to explore God’s Own Country extensively. Dr Venu said that the app was designed with a view to providing all services to tourists. “Tourism Minister’s direct contribution was there during the preparation of this user-friendly app. It has the facility to add user-generated content, and thus, going forward, it can give a kind of modular growth.” The in-progress app is designed in such a way that a visitor gets the opportunity to write about any unexplored destinations and experiences through the option ‘Create Story’. The app will be further upgraded with more innovative features within six months. In the next phase of the app, tourists can make enquiries using ‘Voice Assistant’ facility, which will give answers through voice, eliminating the difficulty in typing letters. Moreover, the app makes the current toilet mapping activities very fast as it helps those travelling inside Kerala to find out safe and hygienic rest rooms nearby. Tourists can also explore restaurants and eateries that offer delicious Kerala cuisine and relish local flavours as per their choice. With the application of cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality in future, the app will have the dimensions of a gaming station and it will draw tremendous response from travelers across the world. Giving added thrust to Kerala’s successful RT initiative, the app also enables tourists to experience the community driven model in its totality and will also help local communities to showcase their ethnic products globally.