SriLankan Airlines boosts fleet with Airbus A320 4R – ABS
SriLankan Airlines has added a newly leased Airbus A320 aircraft bearing the serial number 4R – ABS to the fleet bumping up its total aircraft count to 22. Leased for six years, the aircraft arrived from Malaysia to Colombo last night (21 December 2023) and will be put into service immediately after customization and branding. Its inaugural scheduled flight is currently expected to take place on 29 December ’23 to the Maldives.
Air India Express to fly daily between Bengaluru – Kozhikode
Air India Express announces the commencement of daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Kozhikode, starting January 16, 2024. The inaugural direct flight on the Bengaluru-Kozhikode route, IX 0876, is set to depart on January 16, 2024, at 18:45 hours, reaching Kozhikode at 19:45 hours. The return flight, IX 0860, will leave Kozhikode at 20:15 hours, arriving in Bengaluru at 21:15 hours.
Himachal welcomes tourist surge; unveils inaugural Winter Carnival
Himachal Pradesh is back on the tracks of recovery ahead in the festive season as tourists thronged the two popular tourist destinations Shimla and Manali in the long weekend gone by. Hotel occupancy in Shimla and Manali is reported between 80 to 90 percent. Meanwhile, Shimla is hosting its first-ever Winter Carnival to attract tourists. The week-long carnival, starting Christmas), will last until New Year’s Eve and aims to revive tourism.
Anticipation of snowfall drives tourists to Gulmarg and Pahalgam
Tourists are heading to Kashmir in droves to welcome the New Year, with hotels at destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam in the valley sold out in anticipation of snowfall.Officials said tourists are making a beeline to Kashmir, especially to the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, and Pahalgam, in south Kashmir’s Anantnag.The tourism department has lined up various activities to enrich the experience of New Year revellers.
#FirstOpinion
As we step into 2024, the robust travel sentiment persists, and we anticipate a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market. Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of young India’s millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Trends like sleep tourism, which go beyond uninterrupted sleep to include activities like yoga, swimming, and spa wellness therapy, are gaining widespread popularity. Indians are increasingly seeking personalised and tailor-made journeys, gaining more control over their itineraries. The recent announcements of free visa travel to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Kenya are expected to spark increased interest among Indian travellers.
Rajeev Kale,
President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited
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