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.

Messe Berlin modifies ITB Berlin 2022 format over Omicron

Due to the outbreak of Omicron, super spreader variant of Covid-19, the in-person edition of ITB Berlin 2022 will not take place as originally planned. Owing to the latest developments and accompanying directives as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Messe Berlin is unable to afford its exhibitors and partners the necessary planning certainty with the holding of an in-person ITB Berlin in early March. The current situation surrounding the pandemic, as well as the tightened travel restrictions and limits imposed on the numbers that can take part in large events made Messe Berlin take this step. “Naturally, we examined the possibility of postponing ITB Berlin until summer. However, after consulting with our partners we decided to retain the dates in early March. These are important for the travel industry, as the summer months are the main period for travel and tourism operations. The annual dates of ITB Berlin are deliberately chosen, as our customers mostly do business now or around March. For this reason we are strengthening the digital elements of ITB Berlin at the ITB Berlin Convention and Digital Business Day. We are doing everything to support a travel industry hard-hit by the pandemic and in 2022 are planning a series of additional services and events in virtual and in-person formats,” says Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin. “We deeply regret this situation," adds David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin. “As the organisers, we made every effort to make it possible to hold ITB Berlin as an in-person event again in the German capital. Particularly in these times, the industry needs orientation, inspiration and dialogue. However, after taking the situation surrounding the pandemic and the tightening of rules into account, it leaves us with no option but to further adjust the concept for 2022 and offer our exhibitors and visitors a clear picture and the necessary planning certainty before the Christmas break. With the livestreamed convention and Digital Business Day as well as our new regional travel events during the year, we are offering the industry a wide range of fascinating content and new business opportunities in 2022.”

Dani Shahar new DG of Israel Tourism

Israel government has approved the appointment of Brigadier General (Res) Dani Shahar as Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Shahar will replace Amir Halevi, who has served in the position for nine years. He will take up his position on January 4, 2022. Shahar takes up the key position at a crucial time as the Tourism Ministry is working to create financial assistance packages for the tourism industry as well as to discover creative marketing solutions that will serve the state for the day-after the pandemic. “I thank the minister for his confidence in me and I come with a clear purpose to lead the Israel tourism industry to significant achievements, in line with the policy of the minister,” Shahar.

Maldives retains World’s Leading Destination title at WTA 2021

Maldives wins World’s Leading Destination title at World Travel Awards 2021. The announcement was made at the WTA 2021 ceremony held virtually on December 16. Maldives faced a tough challenge for the top spot from 18 other international destinations including Dubai, Indonesia, Spain, Vietnam, USA and Greece. Speaking about the achievement, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC) Thoyyib Mohamed expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone who voted for Maldives. Thoyyib noted that the achievement was possible due to the concerted efforts of the Government of Maldives, the Ministry of Tourism, other authorities, associations, NGOs and all tourism sector stakeholders. He particularly acknowledged the tireless effort of MMPRC employees in maintaining destination presence, marketing the destination as a safe haven, promoting its tourism products and its unique geography and experiences which promoted travellers confidence towards the destination post Covid-19. This is the second time in a row that the Maldives won the title of World’s Leading Destination. The Maldives won the prestigious award last year during one of the most challenging periods for the tourism industry. The award is a testament to the strength, dedication, effort and planning shown by the Maldivian government during the pandemic. During the marketing efforts, emphasis was placed on promoting the unique geographical formation of the Maldivian islands and the key USP ‘one-island-one-respect-concept’. These characteristics make Maldives one of the safest destinations to travel to, thus making it a ‘safe haven’ for all travellers.

India Outbound is a publication of Media India Group