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6th September 2022: Bengaluru; Cleartrip, India’s fastest-growing online travel company, has revealed a new brand identity and logo as a first step toward the brand's next growth phase. Cleartrip’s new avatar reflects the brand’s core values - ‘Transparency, Optimism, Curiosity, Innovation, and Inclusive’, which represents the brand’s vision and strategy in a bold new format as it gears to disrupt the OTA segment in India. The new brand identity captures a journey that began in 2006 and saw a renewed interest post the Flipkart acquisition in 2021. Cleartrip has always been about making travel simple. At its core, the new brand identity represents the company’s refreshed customer-focused approach to enable an easy hassle-free travel journey and encourage customers to travel more. The new logo, while retaining its iconic element, stays true to the brand’s mission of making every travel dream a reality. Showcasing optimism, the tick breaks out of the box opening out unbound opportunities to travel. Talking about Cleartrip’s new avatar, Ayyappan. R, CEO, Cleartrip, said ‘Cleartrip has established a niche for itself in the OTA segment over the last decade and a half. While we will continue to maintain the legacy of the brand with its intuitive product offerings and straightforward UI and UX, we are embarking on a journey to evolve along with travellers and their ever-changing needs. The travel industry has not seen innovation in the last two decades and that is something we are looking forward to changing. Our new brand entity is an extension of our intent to be an enabler to make all travel dreams a reality! We believe that we are on the right path to move the brand forward with bold moves to keep us ahead of the game.’ Commenting on the new brand identity and logo, Kunal Dubey, CMO, Cleartrip said, “We did not just create a new look and feel for Cleartrip, our new identity reflects where we come from and where we are headed. Travel in India has become a lot more democratised since we started 16 years ago. Indians are travelling more than they ever did, and their expectations from travel brands are also evolving. However, the industry hasn’t caught up and there is hardly any innovation in OTAs today. We strongly believe that if we want to be India’s most loved travel brand, we need to be the ones bringing the change. This new brand identity is just our expression of that intent.” The new identity will stay true to the brand’s motto ‘So, Where to’ urging consumers to start their renewed journey with Cleartrip. The real aim of the brand is to evoke inquisitiveness amongst the audience with its industry-first campaigns in the past like Cleartrip Tatkaal, Passports are #MeantForMore, and exciting offerings like EzCancel, Flexifly, and TravelSafe. In addition to this, the company is geared up to soon introduce a plethora of industry-first initiatives and campaigns under its brand ethos to help consumers realise all their travel dreams. The new line-up of campaigns will reinforce and bring alive the new brand proposition in a fresh new avatar.

Hyderabad, September 2022: On Friday, 2nd September, Novotel Hyderabad Airport organized a scintillating evening to ‘Connect Over Sports’ in association with Vistara, one of India’s leading airlines. The event was specially curated for corporate tycoons to have a fun-filled evening and unleash their sporty spirits. The evening began with a welcome address at one of the newly refurbished property’s dining areas, Socialzz by Food Exchange. The gathering then proceeded to Novotel Hyderabad’s massive sports arena for an exhilarating ‘Learn & Play’ game of Basketball. The guests took off their corporate hats and indulged in an exciting, action-packed game on the state-of-the-art basketball court. The game was followed by a cheer-filled prize distribution ceremony, while the attendees explored the expansive and impressive sports arena with additional courts such as lawn tennis and volleyball, and other engaging recreational activities. To conclude the incredible evening was a high tea networking session organized for key corporates. The session had a signature from Novotel Hyderabad’s decadent restaurant, Food Exchange, and bespoke cocktail concoctions. Talking about the event, General Manager, Mr. Rubin Cherian said, “Our newly refurbished property with its unique dining areas, aesthetics, and features is truly unlike any other. With expansive courts and recreational activities, our massive sports arena has exciting experiences in store for our guests. We are ecstatic to have partnered with Vistara Airlines to showcase this brilliant feature of the property and share it with our valued corporate guests. We hope to do more of these events consistently and create a benchmark for Hyderabad’s hospitality and services.” About Novotel Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause and take time to enjoy the moments that matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites, and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

"Karnataka is an around the year tourist destination; UNESCO Heritage Sites, virgin beaches and wildlife tourism make it unique.": T. Venkatesh, Director, Karnataka Tourism Visakhapatnam, 11th August 2022: With an aim to increase domestic footfalls from Telangana the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka along with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (KSTDC) organized a Roadshow at The Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach here to promote tourist places, hotels, resorts, homestays and service providers from Karnataka amongst the people of Visakhapatnam. The Event was inaugurated by Mr. K. Vijay Mohan, President, Tours & Travels Association of Andhra along with Mr. Ravi Rai, General Manager, Novotel Varuna Beach, Mr. Shivakumar, General Manager (Admin), Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs. Indiramma BG, General Manager (Finance), Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation & Mr. Kumar, Secretary, Tours & Travels Association of Andhra. A performance of 'Puja Kunita', an ancient art form of Karnataka was organised to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage that Karnataka is known for. The roadshow brought together different aspects of Karnataka tourism such as nature, wildlife, adventure, pilgrimage, heritage, and many more. Mr. T. Venkatesh, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism said, “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourist attractions like UNESCO World Heritage sites, splendid wildlife and resplendent nature, virgin beaches etc. It is an around the year tourist destination. The roadshow series will provide impetus to domestic inbound travel and would enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote the state's destinations to prospective tourists and the travel trade of Visakhapatnam and other parts of Andhra Pradesh." Karnataka Tourism's main objective behind the event was to promote the state as a tourist attraction for leisure tourism, MICE - meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, adventure and wildlife tourism and as a wedding destination. KSTDC is the nodal agency to conduct the roadshows in various cities of India. The state also offers an avid traveler a vast range of tourism landscapes such as archaeology, religion, ecotourism and handicrafts. Mr. G. Jagadeesha, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation said, “Karnataka with its diverse range of tourism products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive states for both 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 travel-trade as well as tourists'.” The roadshow had B2B interactions and presentations that showcased the destination and also opened up new avenues to showcase Karnataka in a new light to the travel and trade community. Some of the stakeholders, who exhibited at the roadshow included Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Jungle Lodges & Resorts, Intersight Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd, TGI Hotels & Resorts, Skyway International Travels, WelcomHeritage Shivavilas Palace - Hampi, Gamyam Align Yourself Classical Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat, Paul Resorts & Hotels Private Limited, Mookanana Resort & many more. This exclusive B2B Roadshow had over 15 stakeholders from Karnataka and many discerning trade partners from Visakhapatnam.

Cannes, 30th May 2022: The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) today announced that the highly anticipated up to 40% cash rebate program "Film Saudi" is now functional and open for applications via a dedicated platform for film productions. Saudi Arabia is set to become a world-class center for production, with the “Film Saudi” program providing major incentives for local, regional, and international film producers to base their creative projects in the Kingdom, whilst supporting the screen sector to develop and participate on the international stage. Abdullah Al Eyaf; CEO of the Saudi Film Commission said: “We are delighted to open applications for our cash rebate program “Film Saudi” and welcome productions to Saudi Arabia. The film industry is rapidly accelerating as we continue to invest in training our local crews and developing our infrastructure to ensure we are in a position to support all productions. Incentivizing film productions will enable us to tap into the potential of our growing film industry, showcase our unique and breathtaking landscapes, and attract a diverse range of productions to the Kingdom.” Film productions planning to film either partially or fully in Saudi are invited to apply for the incentives and can find out more information on the website www.film.sa. Productions that recruit Saudi crew and talent above and below the line, feature the Kingdom’s culture, history and people along with showcasing the diverse selection of landscapes in Saudi Arabia are among the qualifiers for incentives of up to 40%. The country’s cinema industry is now the fastest growing in the Middle East and provides a lucrative economic opportunity for international businesses. Streaming platforms are also attracted to the vast domestic market and its wealth of talented new voices as well as investing in the development of new titles in a variety of formats in response to increased demand for Arabic content and international acclaim on the festival circuit. Over the last 18 months Saudi Arabia has provided the backdrop for three major Hollywood films, Ric Roman Waugh’s action thriller ‘Kandahar’ filmed in the extraordinary landscape of AlUla, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, and also in the city of Jeddah; Rupert Wyatt’s historical epic ‘Desert Warrior’ shot in the incredible new city state of Neom and the region of Tabuk; and the Russo Brothers’ crime drama ‘Cherry’ shot in AlUla and the capital Riyadh. In addition, 8 local feature films have reached completion in the last 12 months, along with a slate of documentaries and local productions. Home-grown features currently in production include, ‘Norah’ written and directed by Tawfik Alzaidi, and ‘Within Sand’ directed by Moe Alatawi; both films were presented with awards at the Saudi Film Commission’s Daw’ Film Competition, an initiative launched in September 2019 and supported by the ‘Quality of Life Program’, one of Saudi Vision 2030’s realization programs. The Saudi Film Commission made the announcement at the 75th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival where it is hosting the Saudi Pavilion and enjoying the high footfall of media, filmmakers, and industry professionals. They are joined by other Saudi partners at the Pavilion including the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF); the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA); Film AlUla; the media hub of Neom; Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture); and the MBC Group. A range of other entities covering several sectors of the media and entertainment industry are also present in Cannes, including production, distribution, content creation and organizations working in partnership to boost film talent and international collaborations. This is central to the commission’s mission to build international relationships within the film industry, champion new and exciting local talent and promote Saudi Arabia’s flourishing film industry.

We are all looking forward to better days where we can pack our bags and go back to planning vacations and exploring the world a little more. With international flights resuming to their pre-pandemic schedules the want for travel has also increased. In light of these developments, on Thursday 12th May 2022 the CzechTourism India team along with the Embassy of the Czech Republic organized and hosted their first zoom webinar of 2022 titled ‘It's time to Czech into Czech again!’ to update the Indian travel trade fraternity about the re-opening of Czech Republic for tourism from India and the process for applying for a visa to the country. With over a 250+ participants from across India, the webinar was surely a hit! The webinar started with a welcome note from Mr. Roman Masarik, Charge d’affaires, Embassy of the Czech Republic, New Delhi who spoke about the importance of tourism in Czech Republic as well as the strong and cherished ties between the people of India and Czech Republic. Ms. Nicole Machova, Head of Consular Section, Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi addressed the trade and updated them on the latest developments and the procedure for applying for a Czech Republic visa. This was followed by a destination presentation by Ms. Abigail Divecha – Account Manager from the CzechTourism team from Mumbai who highlighted all the unique aspects of the destination. Mr. Marek Kroutil, International marketing Manager (India) from Czech Republic updated the participants on the guidelines and travel protocols to enter the destination. The webinar was concluded with a Q&A session where the delegates from the Embassy of the Czech Republic and CzechTourism authorities answered the queries raised by the travel trade fraternity on flights, procedures, SOPs, etc to visit Czech Republic from India and expressed their desire to visit the destination soon! Choose your motivation, and choose your city, in the Czech Republic!

Portugal will host the United Nations’ Ocean Conference, in Lisbon, from June 27th to July 1st, 2022. Aiming to “Save the Ocean, Protect the Future”, this conference is a co-organization between the UN and the Governments of Portugal and Kenya. The Conference, as well as the associated special events, call for the participation of States, civil society and partners from the business and associative sector, urging them to take an active role in achieving the goals of SDG 14 – Protect Marine Life – and to commit to the sustainability of marine resources. At a critical and decisive moment for the Planet, Portugal is committed to highlighting the nexus between the Climate and the Ocean. It is necessary to protect the ocean to guarantee the future. In this context, the Conference takes place at an ideal time to stimulate new habits and a sustainable blue economy, based on innovative solutions based on science, on more environmentally friendly technologies and on the sustainable use of marine resources, protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution. Portugal, the country that hosts the conference, is 18 times more ocean than land, being the third country with the largest EEZ (exclusive economic zone) in the European Union. Portuguese history and culture are marked by a deep relationship with the sea, which has also determined the open, available and innovative character of its people. The oceans have also been a reason for establishing commercial and economic initiatives and defining strategic relationships with other nations. The Portuguese coastline is extensive: with over 2500 km between mainland and islands, it is punctuated by a variety of natural conditions and an exceptional climate, which always provides unique and unforgettable experiences. It is precisely because of these assets that Portugal is one of the water sports destinations, especially surfing, which is a worldwide reference and can be practiced all year round. The variety and quality of surf spots, with emphasis on the “Canhão da Nazaré” (Nazaré North Canyon), where the underwater geology allows the formation of giant and perfect waves, and the Ericeira Surf Reserve, ranked first in Europe by the Save the Waves Coalition, generate great moments for water sports lovers. Portuguese Natural Parks with an oceanic component are recognized all over the world, especially those on the east coast, such as Sintra-Cascais and Arrábida, and to the south, in the form of the labyrinthine channels of the beautiful Ria Formosa. They are certified destinations, with high natural value, where preservation comes first. The ocean plays a critical role in protecting the health of our planet, providing oxygen and food, functioning as the main climate regulator, absorbing excess carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. The resilience of marine ecosystems must be preserved, so ocean-based climate action, supported by political will and investment in technology, will allow the oceans to remain the main instrument in the fight against climate change. Prior to the UN Oceans Conference (UNOC) taking place 27th June in Lisbon, the Portugal Embassy in New Delhi, partnering with the Observation Research Foundation- ORF (Indian Think Tank) and the UN, will host a “Blue Talk”, aiming to mobilize respective Indian politicians and stakeholders to participate at UNOC and affirm Portugal international relevance regarding the Oceans expertise . This will be a virtual event, on May 31st, at 3pm IST, covering two of the topics being discussed at UNOC in Lisbon: 1) “Manage, protect and restore marine and costal ecosystems”, 2- “Develop interconnections between Sustainable Development Objective 14 and others towards the 2030 Agenda implementation”.

New Delhi, 19th May 2022: As revival of international tourism is underway, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) concluded a panel discussion on the topic ‘Singapore Tourism on the pathway tourism recovery’ at the 29th edition of SATTE (South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange) held at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR on Wednesday 18th May 2022. The discussion was part of Singapore’s larger narrative of SingapoReimagine recovery initiative to chart pathways for tourism recovery with collective efforts. Key topics discussed included trends emerging in post-pandemic, initiatives taken by the STB to encourage the Indian travelers and Singapore’s focus on technology, ingenuities and sustainability to carve a niche in the future of tourism, among others. The discussion featured prominent industry experts and thought leaders - Mr. Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, Ms. Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation, Ms. Jean Choi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Mandai Wild Group and Mr. Peh Ke Wei, Vice President, Market Development, Changi Airport Group (CAG). As the Covid-19 pandemic starts to ebb across the world, the resumption of international travel and reopening of borders have brought hope and optimism to the tourism industry. Singapore has taken progressive steps towards reimagining a new standard of travel through renewed experiences and elevated standards in technology, sustainability and safety, resulting from the collective efforts of tourism partners. Working closely with Indian trade partner-friends and Singapore tourism stakeholders, the STB seeks to re-inspire and instill confidence among international travellers. Singapore continues to be a top destination of choice for Indian travellers. Since April 2022, when Singapore started welcoming all vaccinated travellers with no quarantine/testing requirements, the country has witnessed healthy travel demand under the new Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF), with a significant. The easing of travel restrictions comes at a favourable time for Indian travellers with the start of the peak summer family travel season around the corner. India is the second most important source market for Singapore tourist arrivals for period 1st January to 28th April 2022, after Indonesia (Australia is 3rd). We had welcomed 91,200 Indian travellers for the period. As of May 2022, 70% of India’s pre Covid flight capacity to Singapore has been restored. Singapore is connected to 14 Indian cities offered by a combination of both full-service and low-cost carriers: Nine in South India: (Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Bengaluru, Cochin, Trivandrum, Vizag, Hyderabad); twoin West India: Mumbai, Ahmedabad; and three in North & East India: Delhi, Kolkata, Amritsar Singapore has also emerged as a key MICE outbound destination in the Indian MICE industry due to its top-notch safety and hygiene standards. Additionally, to become a pioneer in sustainable tourism, STB has developed a destination sustainability strategy and roadmap for the tourism sector in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. A focus on environmental sustainability and investments in sustainability solutions, such as food waste management or sustainable building management systems, will also be beneficial in the long run through better resource management. Speaking on the emphasis for 2022, Mr. Keith Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “For the current year, our key focus is to deepen and expand our partnership with our stakeholders to promote ‘destination Singapore’ effectively. Singapore has taken a calibrated approach to reopen borders, adapting and innovating to reimagine the future of travel by introducing novel experiences, harnessing technology for evolving customers and ensuring seamless safety and hygiene standards. India continues to be one of the top-performing Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) source markets for Singapore and we are grateful for the Indian consumers’ confidence in Singapore’s response to the pandemic and recognising the country’s track record for safety, efficiency and high level of trust. We are also focusing on establishing Singapore as a wellness and sustainability destination with multiple fresh, innovative and environment-friendly initiatives.” Speaking in the panel for Sentosa region, Ms. Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation said, “Sustainability has been a key principle in Sentosa’s development over the past 50 years. With the unveiling of our refreshed Sustainable Sentosa strategic roadmap in 2021, we are stepping up our efforts to build a sustainable future, and safeguard our value proposition as a world-class multifaceted leisure destination for leisure and business travellers. As Sentosa commemorates our Golden Jubilee, we will continue to excite our Indian travellers with new, sustainable, and refreshed offerings. These include a diverse range of attractions, sustainability- and heritage-themed tours, as well as unique leisure experiences like the extension of the Sentosa getaway to our neighbouring Southern Islands, among other offerings.” Speaking on the strategies for Mandai Wildlife Group, Mrs. Jean Choi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Mandai Wildlife Group, said, “Being a wildlife conservation organisation, we focus on caring for the planet because we envision a future where nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Within the rainforest setting of our wildlife parks, we harness nature-based and immersive experiences to connect people to the amazing world of animals through meaningful interactions. Every visit and purchase made in our parks come with conservation included, because we support dozens of conservation projects in Singapore and Southeast Asia. India is a top source market for Mandai Wildlife Group, especially at Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park and we look forward to welcoming Indian families back again. With refreshed offerings as well as seasonal programming such as pop-up events and special tours throughout the year, there’s something for everyone.” Sharing his experience, Mr. Peh Ke Wei, Vice President, Market Development, CAG, said,“ Changi Airport and our airline partners are an integral part of the Singapore experience. We are committed to providing today's discerning travellers with a safe, seamless and refreshing Changi Experience. Under the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) arrangement effective since 22 April, fully vaccinated travellers can take any flight to Singapore to enjoy quarantine-free visits, without requiring an on-arrival test. The COVID-19 safety protocols have also been relaxed significantly in the city. We are seeing strong demand for travel to Singapore from Indian cities”

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.”