Read in Browser

About India Outbound Magazine

India Outbound, a brand of Media India Group, is India’s only B2B travel media platform, that encompasses a print magazine, a website, an online TV channel and dynamic social media platforms, entirely dedicated to the promotion of foreign destinations and products in India. India Outbound is a niche platform not just for tourism destinations and products to promote themselves to the Indian travel industry, but also for decision makers to build/change their strategy in a context where the Indian outbound market is not only growing but changing with new dynamics. India Outbound brings to you the latest trends of the market with in depth analysis.

Thai Consulate in Kolkata retraces Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Siam

Thai Consulate in Kolkata organised an exhibition on Rabindranath Tagore’s nine-day visit to Siam, Thailand in 1927 and his royal audience with His Majesty King Prajadhipok, Rama VII.

Sweeya Santipitaks, consul-general of Thailand in Kolkata, presented this rare collection as part of its academic projects. Portraying Tagore’s strong interest in Buddhism, titled “Tagore’s Visit to Siam: Prelude to the Modern-Day Chapter of Thai-Indian Relations”, the exhibition showpieces will be on a permanent display in the new “Thai Gallery” at Rabindra Bharati Museum at Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata.

Tagore had an opportunity to appreciate the Siamese hospitality and culture, which reminded him of the ancient Indian civilisation in many aspects. The message of this exhibition also focussed on Rabindranath Tagore’s contribution to the Thai-Indian cultural relations, which went far beyond his lifetime and have been perpetuated up to the present day.

The Seychelles Islands is inviting long-term remote workers

Seychelles is inviting visitors from around the world to take residence in the islands through their Workcation Retreat Programme – a blend of work and leisure in their tropical getaway.

The programme is trying to entice the remote workers with offers to relocate their offices to the island destination for a long-term escape from the hassles of mundane life, a desire that has skyrocketed since the pandemic.

Visitors will be able to live and work in the tropical destination for a maximum period of one year. It is to be noted that only visitors whose business and source of income is outside Seychelles, will qualify for the programme.

Speaking on the launch of the Seychelles Workcation programme, the Seychelles Tourism Board chief executive, Sherin Francis mentioned that the project transcends the visitor’s usual holiday experience.

“Home office has become the new normal for the majority of workers and Seychelles Workation Programme is providing them with an opportunity to continue working from ‘home’, but in a more picturesque location,” she said.

“The programme will attend to their daily needs whilst integrating the island-life experience. Reconnecting with nature is a big part of what we want people to experience while being here as not only is it relaxing, but also would help to boost one’s creativity and productivity,” Francis added.

The Seychelles Workcation programme targets remote workers or anyone who is able to perform their duties outside a traditional and physical office, irrespective of their family statuses, as it caters for single workers, couples or even families. The programme is open to all valid passport holders and encompasses various services that support remote working. Potential applicants to the programme will be expected to comply with health guidelines in the destination. Other requirements include having valid medical and travel insurance for the entire period of stay in Seychelles.

Israel plans to reopen for the vaccinated travellers

Israel has announced that it plans to reopen its borders to international travellers on May 23. However, visitors will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and will be expected to travel in groups.

In the first stage, groups will be allowed under the guidelines to be published by the ministries. Following an initial reopening, numbers will be increased based on the health situation. Individual travellers will be allowed into Israel in the second stage, with health considerations determining the timeline.

“Opening the skies for international tourism will truly revive the tourism industry, including restaurants, hotels, sites, tour guides, busses and others looking to work and provide for their families. I will continue to work for the full opening of tourism to Israel, which will greatly assist the Israeli economy and create workplaces for many Israelis,” Israeli minister of tourism, Orit Farkash-Hacohen said.

JNTO partners with Sumo wrestler Yoshinori Tashiro to promote #GoodnessofJapan

The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has teamed up with Yoshinori Tashiro, a renowned Japanese Sumo wrestler, to continue with its ongoing marketing campaign, #GoodnessofJapan.

The new #GoodnessofJapan campaign intends to resonate the brand value of safety, cleanliness, and sanitisation; all of which are extremely important in the current scenario. Through this association, JNTO is trying to communicate all the values that the destination inculcates through this campaign.

JNTO wanted its audience to see Japan in its true state and not only through professional images. Hence, JNTO tailored made an itinerary special for Tashiro who visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa. The campaign showcases not just the destinations, culture, and cuisine that Japan offers, but also the best practices and safety standards that are being maintained for travel enthusiasts to come and experience the goodness of Japan.

The #GoodnessofJapan is a first of its kind campaign by JNTO where the focus is not on the tourist spots but on the principles on which Japan stands. It is a glimpse of his journey to some of the popular food joints and attractions like TOKYO SKYTREE, Ryosoku-in Temple, A Taste of India - Ganesha Restaurant, Kyoto, Tower of the Sun Museum, Osaka Castle, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Ohashi Bridge among others.

Though Japan is known for its flavoursome delicacies, one can also visit the famous Indian restaurants in Japan, serving the authentic tastes of India. The campaign plans to emphasise on varied vegetarian options which are easily available at close to 2,100+ Indian restaurants spread across Japan.

Through this latest association with Tashiro, JNTO wants to attract Indian travellers to visit the destination once the travel resumes. Tashiro also played a lead role in a Tamil film, and during his stay in India, he became aware of the Indian traditions and culture that he finds a bit similar to Japan.

OTOAI president’s keynote address at Luxury B2B MICE Conference in Turkey

As the world is struggling with a new wave and new mutations, the increased vaccination drive across the globe is offering the much-needed assurance and many countries have come out with statements welcoming guests who have received their complete vaccine dose. Maintaining the travel sentiment and in an endeavour to assure people that outbound travel from India will hopefully resume soon, Riaz Munshi, president, OTOAI, was invited to deliver his keynote address at the Luxury B2B MICE Conference in Istanbul, Turkey organised by Team Travel Shop. The event took place from April 6 – 7, 2021.

Commenting on Indian traveller’s travel habits in the light of the pandemic and positioning Turkey as a preferred destination for MICE activities, Munshi said, “Turkey is the perfect destination for all segments of Indian travellers, be it families, honeymooners, MICE groups or weddings. Turkey is also one of the first countries to launch the safe tourism certification system, which is already a step in the right direction to build consumer confidence. Travellers will now be much more cognisant of their choice of destinations and will seek reassurance that they will be safe while in a particular country or location. Positioning the destination as one that promises travel safety upfront puts Turkey in a good position to attract more travellers. I am sure that together, we will make India as the number one source market for Turkey.”

Emirates commences IATA Travel Pass trials

Emirates has commenced the trials of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass – a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine information. The first passengers travelling from Dubai to Barcelona on EK 185 today trialled the ‘digital passport’ to verify and share their pre-travel Covid-19 test status with Emirates.

The trials are a step towards making travel more convenient, enabling travellers to manage Covid-19 related documentation digitally, safely and seamlessly throughout the travel experience. In the future, travellers will also be able to share vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

“The ability to process passengers’ Covid-19 relevant data for travel digitally will be the way forward. We are pleased to have been pioneers and partner with IATA in trialling this initiative in real-time and soon will be launching other initiatives to further enhance our customer experience,” said Adel Al Redha, chief operating officer, Emirates.

The trial is being done on selected Emirates flights from Dubai to Barcelona and London Heathrow to Dubai; and will soon be expanded to include other routes. Eligible passengers are being personally invited to download the app and enroll for the digital travel pass ahead of their travels. The airline was also the first airline to provide global multi-risk travel insurance including Covid-19 cover with every flight.

Online e-commerce giant Flipkart acquires travel booking platform Cleartrip

Walmart-owned e-commerce giant Flipkart has announced that it will acquire online travel and ticket booking platform Cleartrip. The e-commerce firm has said that it will be acquiring 100 per cent of Cleartrip’s shareholding, as it enhances its investments to strengthen its digital commerce offerings.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cleartrip’s operations will be acquired by Flipkart, although it will continue to operate as a separate brand, retaining all employees while working closely with Flipkart. The value of the deal was however not disclosed in the statement. The deal closing will be subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Founded in 2006, Cleartrip allows its customers to book flights and hotels from its mobile app and website.


India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group