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.

UNWTO Calls Against Blanket Travel Restrictions

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has called out against the introduction of blanket restrictions on travel, as witnessed in recent days. This call echoes the concerns raised by UNWTO Members during the 24th UNWTO General Assembly held earlier this month. Countries from all global regions expressed their solidarity with southern African states, calling for the immediate lifting of travel bans imposed on specific countries and for freedom of international travel to be upheld. UNWTO also takes note of the recent declarations of the United Nations Secretary-General and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the unfairness and ineffectiveness of blanket travel in respect to the countries of southern Africa. The UNWTO has once again reminded countries that the imposition of blanket restrictions on travel is discriminatory, ineffective and contrary to WHO recommendations. Blanket restrictions may also stigmatize countries or whole regions.

ICAO/UNWTO call for aviation reconnect

Marking the International Civil Aviation Day, the United Nations Aviation and World Tourism organizations (ICAO/UNWTO) have issued a joint call for efforts to reconnect the world to be accelerated. The Covid-19 pandemic brought global air mobility and tourism to an abrupt halt. It also pressed pause on trillions of dollars’ worth of economic activity. Millions of livelihoods and businesses have been placed at risk. And while increasing vaccination rates are helping to kickstart the return of international aviation and restart tourism, much more still needs to be done.

The two organizations added to calls by the G7, G20, and the many countries who have called for borders to be opened to fully vaccinated travelers, travelers with acceptable proof of recovery from previous infection, and travellers holding mutually recognised and ICAO VDS-secured personal health certificates. ICAO and UNWTO also call for equal access to vaccines, and for efforts towards vaccine equity to be intensified and accelerated. This is especially critical for developing countries still bearing the brunt of the pandemic and least able to cope with its economic and social impacts. With pent up travel and tourism demand now clearly evident in every global region, and with better mitigation strategies and greater international coordination in place, the two organizations believe that these sectors can be drivers for economic recovery, both in the developed and the developing worlds.

New York City lines up numerous events to mark New Year

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, invites locals and visitors to enjoy holiday traditions and cultural experiences across the five boroughs, many of which are in person for the first time in two years. With the return of spectators at annual events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes, festive shopping at NYC’s iconic department stores, ice-skating rinks, light festivities, cultural performances, winter exhibitions including the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. NYC & Company releases holiday activity across the five boroughs as foreign travel returns, following the arrival of the first international flights to NYC in more than 600 days. “A visit to New York City during the holidays is unparalleled, and we’re thrilled to once again welcome travelers from around the world,” says NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “New experiences, annual events and iconic traditions across the five boroughs, coupled with the timely reopening of US international borders, emphasise that ‘It’s Time for New York City’ this holiday season,” he adds.

Mega deal for Cross Hotels & Resorts in Vietnam

Cross Hotels & Resorts signs agreement with Tan Thanh Trading & Tourism JSC to develop a mega-project to build two new hotels in Vietnam with a combined room count of 716 keys. In one of the biggest greenfield deals in Asia since the start of the global pandemic two years ago, Cross Long Hai and Cross Vibe Long Hai are located in the stunning coastal province of Vung Tau, a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City.

With construction already underway and an opening set for Q4 2022, Cross Long Hai is a striking, all-villa resort that will add a touch of panache to the popular seaside town. The boutique style property introduces Cross Hotels luxury by design concept to the flourishing Vietnamese travel market. In addition, the twin-tower Cross Vibe Long Hai is a modern Condotel offering 658 guest rooms that provide the latest amenities, MICE facilities, spa, swimming pool and fitness centre.

“As Cross Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its footprint and brands across Southeast Asia, we believe relationships are key to complementing each other’s success. Hence, this is why I am ecstatic to be entering into this partnership with Tan Thanh Trading and Tourism JSC. I look forward to introducing our luxury and lifestyle brands to the city’s hospitality landscape. Our luxury by design approach will capture the imagination of people seeking a fresh travel experience,” says Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts.

“We are thrilled to start this journey with Cross Hotels & Resorts and together we will transform the hospitality in Vung Tau and beyond with these unique brands. The fact that the company’s global distribution is backed by Flight Centre Travel Group speak volumes. With this partnership, Cross Long Hai and Cross Vibe Long Hai will set a new benchmark for creativity and innovation in the local hospitality industry,” says Tran Duy Kieu, general director of Tan Thanh Trading & Tourism JSC. Across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Cross Hotels & Resorts currently operates a diverse property portfolio that includes more than 21 hotels under five distinct brands, namely Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Lumen and Cross Collection.

Hong Kong Hosts 18th World Congress of Chinese Medicine

The 18th World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM), one of the world’s largest academic events in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), was successfully held in Hong Kong for the first time at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 4, 2021. Thanks to the bidding efforts of the Hong Kong Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, which is a member of the Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme, initiated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), in collaboration with the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), the hybrid event attracted more than 2,000 TCM academics and experts, generated over 3.8 million views from over 60 countries and regions.

As physical gatherings resumed for the first time since the pandemic started, WCCM provided a platform for participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, covering TCM practices, benefits, opportunities and challenges, and the development potential of TCM. “We are pleased to host this edition of WCCM in Hong Kong for the first time. Embracing Chinese philosophy and culture, Hong Kong is the ideal place for academic and cultural exchanges to explore the way forward for furthering the global development of TCM, and its role in combating the pandemic through collaboration between practitioners and public sectors,” says Ma Jianzhong, president of WFCMS. “Hong Kong enjoys unique geographical and cultural advantages, and is the ideal destination for international conventions. Many such events have taken place recently, demonstrating Hong Kong’s ability to host large-scale global events safely and efficiently. Apart from TCM, Hong Kong will continue to leverage the city’s advantages as an East-meets-West showcase to promote the very best of Chinese heritage,” says HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng.

India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group