Travel Trade Journal Magazine - July 2023

In this issue

With an increasing demand for domestic and international air travel, the aviation industry is proceeding on an unequivocally positive trajectory. The TTJ July 2023 issue brings forth more about aviation, as we have highlighted a few domestic and international airlines to know how they are faring in the current aviation market.

We have also covered an engaging variety of features on TCS, hotels, destinations, personal narratives, and events that will keep our readers engrossed.

Just to reiterate that we look forward to informing and entertaining you not only through our monthly magazine but also on our website traveltradejournal.com.

Happy Reading!

The Role of Ancillary Services in Today's World of Travel and Tourism

Travel trends have undergone a huge shift in recent years. With leisure, as well as business travel, gradually penetrating most sectors of the population, the demand for exclusively curated travel packages has parallelly gone up. This is where selling travel ancillary services comes into the picture as it adds a personal touch to a traveller's overall experience.

2 mins

India's dominant airline IndiGo charts impressively stirring expansion mode

At IndiGo, the fundamental principle that governs the business model is low-cost leadership. The airline is in a constant endeavour to lower costs and provide affordable, on-time, hassle-free travel experiences to its customers whilst simultaneously aiming for growth. Vinay Malhotra, HeadGlobal Sales, IndiGo, conveys that they have defined three strategic pillars of reassure, develop, and create to support their growth plans as they are looking to double in size and scale by the end of this decade.

3 mins

Vistara fortifying its domestic network while expanding globally

Hailed for its distinguished flying experience, Vistara continues to maintain the highest standards of hospitality with best-in-class offerings. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara believes that Vistara's achievements in the last eight years including being the youngest and the only Indian airline to be featured in the World's Top 20 Airlines by Skytrax, ranked 16th, and the goodwill amongst their customers keep them motivated to continue growing and setting new benchmarks in the aviation sector.

3 mins

Oman Air extends horizon with impeccable service level at every touchpoint

Distinguishing itself for its personalised service, authentic Omani hospitality, and meticulous attention to all elements of the guest journey, Oman Air continues to position itself among the world's major carriers. Sunil V A, Regional Vice-President, Indian Sub-Continent and Far East, Commercial Sales, Oman Air gives an insight into the airline which is growing from strength to strength and has established a strong international presence as it now flies as far as Europe and the Far East.

3 mins

Getting there. But not there yet!

Aviation, which had come to a grinding halt owing to the pandemic in 2020, has since travelled a long way from operating evacuation flights, converting passenger aircraft to cargo, to now resuming regular operations. As the world's outlook turns positive, are things all well and good, or do challenges still persist? TTJ speaks to Anju Wariah, Director, Group Business Development (Airlines), STIC Travel Group, to get a grab on the current sequence of events.

3 mins

Jazeera transcending boundaries of customers' requisites

Jazeera Airways pledges foremost focus on providing its customers with comfortable and enjoyable travel experiences. Their continuous and relentless strive is to expand their network and improve offerings. Romana Parvi, Regional Manager, South Asia, Jazeera Airways, conveys that they are constantly evaluating and looking out to add new routes and destinations, whilst being committed to providing a wide range of travel options and comfortable travel experiences for every passenger.

3 mins

Malaysia Airlines strengthening customer base across the Indian network

With the reopening of borders in 2022, Malaysia Airlines has since emerged on a stable footing financially and operationally, with parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) having achieved three consecutive quarters of financial profitability since 3Q 2022. Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer-Airlines, MAG, says that now the airline is aggressively investing in their customers by elevating their products and offerings from fleet modernisation to enhancing the overall cabin experience.

3 mins

TBO Academy Offers 'Attractions' the Opportunity to Mark their Presence

TBO Academy, the leading provider of travel education and resources has announced the launch of 'Interactions with Attractions', an exciting global campaign promoting attractions around the world. Through this campaign, the academy aims to create a strong online presence for these extraordinary attractions, in order to promote tourism and cultural exchange on a global scale.

2 mins

Korean Air strategising on inbound-outbound traffic imbalance

As skies open up post-pandemic, 2023 sees Korean Air focus on the resumption of temporarily suspended routes. Exploring new routes will be their next main objective once all suspended routes are fully functional. The airline contemplates increasing its seat capacity on the Incheon -New Delhi route and simultaneously exploring new opportunities in South India. Kim Chan, General Manager, Korean Air, India, and Bangladesh is excited about the recommencement of their services in India, as the airline takes the Indian market with extreme earnestness. He calls upon Indians to visit and experience the beauty of Korea, winged with the efficient services of Korean Air.

3 mins

LOT Polish Airlines provides seamless connectivity throughout Europe and North America

LOT Polish Airlines entered India in September 2019 with nonstop flights between Delhi and Warsaw giving Indian travellers access to Central and Eastern Europe. Amit Ray, Director India, DACH Markets and Italy, and Head of Global Corporate and Strategic Sales, LOT Polish Airlines shares the latest insights on LOT Airlines airline and India operations.

3 mins

SriLankan remarkably optimistic through the veil of visible challenges

Air passenger demand in 2023 rapidly recovers to pre-pandemic proportions on most routes, and with tourism returning to Sri Lanka, the country's national carrier, SriLankan Airlines looks forward to meeting the growing demand. Richard Nuttall, CEO, SriLankan Airlines, identifies their biggest challenge which is in restoring capacity and the main objective presently is to reinstitute their fleet and network to pre-pandemic levels. The number of flights to India is yet well below normal and restoration of the narrow-body fleet is essential for rebuilding and reinforcing their presence in terms of destinations and frequency.

3 mins

Virgin Atlantic flying high on wings of Sustainability

Virgin Atlantic's biggest focus presently is to achieve the position of the most loved travel company and maintain sustainable profitability. Alex McEwan, Country Manager, South Asia, Virgin Atlantic, elucidates the strength of the Indian aviation sector, the rationale behind satisfied customers, the airline's growth, and network expansion plans, and how sustainability remains central to the airline.

3 mins

Propelled by winds of growth, Akasa spreads its wings into the boundless blue

Nine months into operations, Akasa Air, the new entrant in the Indian civil aviation sector, has already grabbed a five per cent market share, while adding a record 19 aircraft to its fleet and reaching out to 16 destinations in the country. The airline recently announced an order for four additional Boeing 737-8 jets at the recent Paris Air Show, a follow-up to the already placed order of 72 aircraft taking it to a total of 76 aircraft. For a start-up airline, this indeed is a towering achievement within a short time. To gain more insight, TTJ interacts with Praveen Iyer, CoFounder, and Chief Commercial Officer, and Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, as they keenly share their viewpoints and some dynamics of India's newest airline.

5 mins

Jettwings Airways sets new course as first airline from Northeast India

In a significant announcement, Jettwings Airways revealed its plans to be the first airline from Northeast India to have acquired the necessary certification. The airline aims to provide luxuryoriented services, enhance connectivity, and explore international routes. Their commitment to a seamless passenger experience includes personalised services and advanced technology integration.

3 mins

Air travel has gained momentum, but is it affordable for the common man?

The Indian air travel industry has been going through a state of euphoria since the two mega aircraft orders by Air India and IndiGo for close to 1000 aircraft between them, from Boeing and Airbus, were announced recently. There was renewed enthusiasm from deep-pocketed investors into the air transport sector after the entry of the TATA Group, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, and the Adani's into the airline and airport business. A palpable sense of expectation of greater things from India's aviation sector is noticed by investors, politicians, and the public in general. Home to the world's largest population and very low air travel penetration, aviation surely is viewed as the next big sector on the horizon for India.

3 mins

Sustainability - A Giant Leap To The New Generation

Each year Arabian Travel Market (ATM) focuses the spotlight on specific aspects of travel that will be pivotal in determining the direction that the travel and tourism industry will take to move forward. In line with the theme, 'Working Towards Net Zero,' ATM 2023 explored how innovative sustainable travel trends will evolve and identify growth strategies within specific key vertical sectors. The various sessions served as a platform for regional experts to analyse a sustainable future. One of them was, Sustainable Luxury: At What Cost?

3 mins

Kuda Villingili

A Fusion of Opulence, Adventure, and Sustainability

4 mins

Lords Hotels and Resorts poised to expand internationally

Lords Hotels and Resorts is committed to providing exemplary service and hospitality to its guests and aims to expand its footprint across India and beyond. The brand now operates over 42 hotels across India, and Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels and Resorts is looking forward to expanding its portfolio in India and internationally. One can very soon look forward to more of their upcoming hotels across India, Nepal, Africa, and the USA.

3 mins

Rangla Punjab to showcase Punjab's vibrant heritage

In an exciting development for travel enthusiasts, the Punjab government has unveiled its ambitious plans to organise a series of captivating heritage fairs and festivals throughout the year. Spread across various regions of the state, this ground-breaking initiative aims to offer a broader audience and a glimpse into the magnificence of Punjab's rich heritage and vibrant culture.

3 mins

Cordelia, the Sri Lankan Highlight

With its seasonal repositioning to Chennai, the Cordelia Empress, set sail on its first voyage to Sri Lanka on June 05, 2023. The Ship set sail on a 4-night cruise from the port of Chennai to the island nation, calling on at ports of Hambantota and Trincomalee before returning to Chennai. The cruise line will offer 3, 4, and 5 nights cruise options to Sri Lanka from Chennai.

3 mins

Read all stories from Travel Trade Journal

Travel Trade Journal Magazine Description:

Sampan Media's monthly publication 'Travel Trade Journal ' is devoted to strategic and policy issues in the travel and tourism sector covering all news and views related to agents, national & international tourism boards, hotel industry, transportation, government policies and civil aviation sector in the country.