This new route will further strengthen direct connectivity between the two nations by connecting the Indian Capital and a key aviation hub of the region – Delhi, with Guangzhou, a major business and manufacturing center in Southern China. With this expansion, IndiGo connects Delhi to 21 international destinations, underscoring the airport’s growing role as a strategic hub for regional and international connectivity.

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer at IndiGo, said, “Following the successful resumption of our Kolkata–Guangzhou flights, we are delighted to further expand IndiGo’s presence in China with this new daily connection from Delhi. This new route from the Indian Capital and our largest domestic hub will strengthen travel options and encourage economic and cultural exchange between the two countries. It will also connect Guangzhou to IndiGo’s vast domestic network of 90+ destinations, giving access across India to Chinese travelers. We are thankful to both governments for their support in restoring these links, opening significant opportunities for trade, tourism, and collaboration. As we continue to expand internationally, we remain committed to building such strategic air corridors that foster deeper regional connectivity and unlock new avenues for growth.”

Schedule of Flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, Effective 10^th November 2025

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Set on a serene private island in the middle of Udai Sagar Lake, framed by the Aravalli hills, Raffles Udaipur offers a setting that feels at once cinematic and deeply personal. From majestic multi-day affairs to soulful, intimate unions, every celebration is imbued with the signature Raffles grace, care, and attention to detail.

said Rajesh Namby, General Manager, Raffles Udaipur.

With the recent unveiling of Raffles Udaipur Lakeshore, the hotel has seamlessly expanded its offering, now catering to celebrations of every scale. The addition of expansive manicured lawns and new event spaces along the lakeside has elevated the property’s capacity, making it a truly versatile canvas for destination weddings — whether opulent or understated.

The hotel’s dedicated wedding curators, bespoke culinary journeys, and legacy of service ensure that every occasion at Raffles Udaipur is not just memorable but deeply meaningful.

This recognition at WOW Awards Asia 2025 stands as a tribute to the hotel’s continued evolution as a modern palace of celebration, where heritage meets imagination and every moment is worthy of a story.

The post Raffles Udaipur’s Gold and Silver Wins at WOW Awards Asia 2025 appeared first on NRI News.

• Jaffna becomes the 122^nd destination in the larger 6E network
• Expands reach within Sri Lanka, with direct access to the Northern parts of the country

INDIA: IndiGo, India’s preferred airline has announced Jaffna, Sri Lanka as the newest addition to its international route network. The airline will start non-stop daily flights between Chennai and Jaffna, starting September 01, 2024. Jaffna will be the second destination in Sri Lanka after Colombo for IndiGo, making it the 34th international and 122nd overall destination in its extensive 6E network.

This strategic announcement will further strengthen the strong cultural and trade ties between India and Sri Lanka that have been marked by cooperation in the fields of commerce, infrastructure development, and air connectivity. Bookings for the flight are open from August 01, 2024.

India has consistently held the position of the top primary market for international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. In June 2024, Indian arrivals accounted for 25.2% of the total, with over 28,631 travelers, compared to a 26.7% share in June 2023, with around 26,830 passengers. There is also an increasing interest in travel to Jaffna. In this context, IndiGo’s latest route announcement to Jaffna will enhance accessibility across the region. Jaffna will complement IndiGo’s existing flights to Colombo, offering travelers a secondary market access point in Sri Lanka.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce Jaffna as our new destination in Sri Lanka, which will catalyze enhancing trade & tourism between our two countries. In addition to these daily flights from Chennai to Jaffna, we also offer 30 weekly frequencies from 4 points in India to Colombo. This 75-minute flight would significantly reduce travel time, making Jaffna, Sri Lanka even more accessible. We are continuously working towards providing our customers with superior connectivity and enhanced accessibility to explore new horizons with our ever-expanding range of travel options.”

The demand for travel between Chennai and Jaffna is evident, with over 21,000 passengers flying the route in just nine months last year. IndiGo’s new direct flight provides a timely boost to this resurgence, offering seamless connectivity and tapping into a key market for Sri Lanka’s tourism revival. India and Sri Lanka share a rich legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious, and trade relations spanning over 2,500 years.

Jaffna, a city located in the northern province of Sri Lanka, is a destination that boasts a rich history and cultural significance. Its vibrant Tamil heritage is reflected in its traditions, festivals, and historical landmarks, showcasing the resilience and diversity of its people. Visitors can explore iconic sites such as the Jaffna Fort, which serves as an architectural testament to the region’s colonial past, and the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a revered Hindu temple that holds both religious and cultural importance. The community’s resilience, combined with its cultural treasures and culinary delights, makes Jaffna a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic and enriching experience.

Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website www.goIndiGo.in or through our mobile app. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.

Flight schedule:

*Schedule may be subject to change depending on approvals from regulatory authorities

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INDIA: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) marked the start of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) by showcasing Saudi’s spectacular summer destinations to trade partners – as the country’s tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength.

Representatives from Saudi’s booming tourism ecosystem kicked-off the Middle East’s biggest travel and tourism trade show aiming to build awareness of Saudi’s unique and diverse summer destination offering, strengthen and establish new trade partnerships, and celebrate the remarkable year-on-year growth of the Saudi tourism sector.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of STA, is leading the Saudi delegation of 72 partners from across the tourism sector, including top destination management companies, hoteliers, and airlines, to the show that started in Dubai today.

The delegation is aiming to showcase Saudi’s distinctive summer destinations to trade partners and consumers in the GCC region and underline Saudi’s status as a world-leading year-round tourism destination, with a strategic focus on priority markets like India and China.

Over the summer season, Saudi offers a unique and diverse range of activities and destinations for visitors including young families ranging from the pristine beaches of the Red Sea, the rich culture of Jeddah, and an events program like no other, including the Esports World Cup starting in Riyadh this July.

Saudi’s mountainous regions including the tranquil and picturesque destinations of Aseer, Taif, and Al Baha also provide a refreshing escape during the summer season with temperatures in the low 20s. These serene retreats are ideal for adventure travelers who seek natural beauty, wildlife, hiking trails, and cool breezes.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of STA, said: “We’re delighted to be back at ATM this year to showcase Saudi as a unique summer destination, offering an action-packed events calendar, cool mountain regions for adventurer seekers, and pristine beaches for families and those looking to relax.

The MEA and APAC markets are hugely important in our overarching tourism strategy with a combined 23 million visits last year, and we will be focusing on growing those numbers.

Having welcomed over 100m tourists in 2023, Saudi is the land of now – offering growth and opportunities like no other to trade partners across the globe. And over the coming days, we look forward to building new long-lasting partnerships, sharing knowledge, and showcasing the wealth of opportunities Saudi has to offer.”

Building on the success of last year’s presence at ATM, where over 50,000 visitors were welcomed at the Saudi stand, this year’s exhibit is set across three floors with partners showcasing hundreds of affordable and luxury bookable products for destinations such as Jeddah, AlUla, Aseer, Riyadh, and the Red Sea.

Visitors can race a bike through the mountains of Aseer on a virtual simulator, download specially curated Saudi Summer playlists in partnership with Anghami, see an array of football memorabilia at the Saudi Pro League Museum, and enjoy live performances of traditional Saudi dancers, digital art displays from local artists. The diversity of Saudi will also be showcased with an interactive Saudi map and activities calendar.

The stand also showcases the new “Saudi Rewards” scheme, a first-of-its-kind national rewards program, offering free nationwide rewards for citizens and visitors to unlock points on tourism, shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Saudi Rewards currently has a network of 17 partners and will have a dedicated booth at ATM with interactive activations for visitors to enjoy.

On the first day of the event, Mr Hamidaddin participated in a flagship panel event alongside other tourism leaders from the GCC to discuss collaboration and Saudi’s role in the region’s growing tourism sector.

Popular UAE radio station Dubai Eye also broadcast their afternoon show live from the Saudi booth where they discussed Saudi’s summer offering, while trailblazing Indian influencer Masoom Minawala Mehta and world-famous travel influencer brothers, Wael and Nael Abualteen, were on the stand creating content for their social channels.

STA and its partners are aiming to build on the successes of last year’s ATM, where more than 1,600 deals and more than 50 MoUs and strategic agreements were signed – resulting in 35,000 extra visits.

Saudi presents trade partners with an unparalleled opportunity for sustained growth. Notably, the country achieved a significant milestone by welcoming 100 million tourists in 2023. Together with partners, STA is building knowledge of Saudi’s destination offerings to consumers, to address barriers to destination knowledge and welcome more visitors than ever to the Kingdom.

This boom has continued in 2024, with the first quarter of the year witnessing a double-digit growth increase in tourists compared to the same period last year – bolstering Saudi’s position as a leading global tourism destination and driving progress towards its revised target of 150 million visits by 2030.

The post SAUDI SHOWCASES SPECTACULAR SUMMER ESCAPES AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET 2024 appeared first on NRI News.

Kozlov highlighted that the number of business tourists is expected to grow in the coming years. One of the factors supporting the growth of interest from Indian businessmen was the launch of the electronic visa program. From August 1, 2023, it has become easier for Indian citizens to organize a trip to Moscow – they can come simply by applying for an electronic visa. An e-visa has several advantages over a traditional visa, and the only documents required are a digital photograph of your face and a scan of the page with your passport data.

Moscow is a growing hub for international business events, and Indian businessmen could benefit from attending these events to expand their network and explore potential business opportunities. The Moscow MICE Ambassadors program aims to promote Moscow as a preferred destination for business tourism, and Indian businessmen who have completed the program can serve as valuable resources for organizing conferences and events in Moscow.

Furthermore, Moscow offers a range of world-class facilities and services for business travelers, including conference centers, hotels, transportation, and sightseeing. Mr. Kozlov also mentioned that Moscow’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife could provide Indian businessmen with unique experiences that could enhance their overall business trip.

Kozlov expressed his optimism for the future of MICE and business tourism in Moscow. Thus, in October 2023, Moscow will host the largest MICE Congress in Russia. Among the participants are 14 countries, including Indians. The event will provide a platform for businesses in the travel and tourism industry to showcase their products and services.

Overall, Moscow is emerging as a preferred destination for Indian business tourists, and with the launch of the electronic visa program, it has become easier for Indian citizens to organize a trip to Moscow. With world-class facilities and services for business travelers, Indian businessmen can explore potential business opportunities and expand their network while experiencing Moscow’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife.

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