Recently Arvind Singh, secretary Ministry of Tourism, India has announced that a National Tourism Board will be established soon to manage all overseas marketing and promotions while the National Tourism Policy currently going through the phase of consultation with key stakeholders.

The new Board, to be chaired by the union Minister of Tourism will review the implementation of the tourism related policies. To be managed by a CEO, the Board with coordinate promotional activities with overseas missions.

“There is great potential of tourism, domestic and international to promote job opportunities, especially for the youth. Promotion of tourism will be done in mission mode”, said Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister while presenting the India’ Union Budget 2023. Her statement shows the intent of Government about the sector.

Sitharaman also announced that 50 tourist destinations will be selected through challenge mode to be developed as a whole package for domestic and international tourism. Going forward, for these selected 50 destinations, information on physical connectivity, virtual connectivity, tourist guides, food streets and tourist security and other relevant aspects of the visitor experience would be made available through an app. India’s G-20 presidency will also be used as an opportunity to push India as a preferred tourist destination. Besides this, initiatives will be taken to set up tourism at border villages. This pledges to be a great booster for the Indian tourism and hospitality industry.

Air India is close to placing landmark orders for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from both Airbus and Boeing as it carves out an ambitious renaissance under the Tata Group conglomerate, industry sources said on Sunday.

The orders include as many as 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies, including dozens of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity as finishing touches are placed on the mammoth deal in coming days.

It’s reported that Air India is close to placing landmark orders for as many as 500 jetliners worth tens of billions of dollars from both Airbus and Boeing as it carves out an ambitious renaissance under the Tata Group conglomerate, industry sources said on Sunday.

The orders include as many as 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies, including dozens of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity as finishing touches are placed on the mammoth deal in coming days.

Such a deal could top $100 billion dollars at list prices, including any options, and rank among the biggest by a single airline in volume terms, overshadowing a combined order for 460 Airbus and Boeing jets from American Airlines over a decade ago. Even after significant expected discounts, the deal would be worth tens of billions of dollars and cap a volatile year for an industry whose jets are back in demand after the pandemic but which is facing mounting industrial and environmental pressures.

The potential order comes days after Tata announced the merger of Air India with Vistara, a joint-venture with Singapore Airlines, to create a bigger full-service carrier and strengthen its presence in domestic and international skies. That deal gives Tata a fleet of 218 aircraft, cementing Air India as the country’s largest international carrier and second largest in the domestic market after leader IndiGo Air India, with its maharajah mascot, was once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service but its reputation declined in the mid-2000s as financial troubles mounted. Founded by JRD Tata in 1932, Air India was nationalised in 1953. Tata regained control in January and has since been working to revive its reputation as a world-class airline. The planned order reflects a deliberate strategy to win back a solid share of traffic flows to and from India, which are currently dominated by foreign carriers such as Emirates.

Air India also wants to win a bigger share of regional international traffic and the domestic market, setting up a battle on both fronts with IndiGo.

Delivered over at least a decade, the 500 jets would both replace and expand fleets in the world’s fastest-growing airline market, while contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of expanding the economy to $5 trillion.

Bonza – Australia’s new, and only independent low-cost airline, enabling Australians to explore more of their own backyard, and at low-cost prices. Bonza’s initial route map includes 27 routes to 17 destinations. Ninety three per cent of Bonza routes are not currently served by any airline and 96% not currently served by a low-cost carrier. The only place to book direct is on the FlyBonza App.

The ticket sales have already began with its Sunshine Coast base followed by its Melbourne base. CEO Tim Jordan urges Aussies to download the Fly Bonza app and sign up to be the first to know when its initial phase of flights will be up for grabs.

The airline’s digital approach means the app will be the only place to book with the exception of registered local travel agents. A digital support centre will assist customers with queries or those who choose to get support with making their booking.

“I’d like to thank our team of legends who have worked very hard to achieve today’s milestone working alongside CASA who do incredibly important work regulating Australian aviation. Now, our focus turns to connecting communities and we hope to see many Aussies onboard soon,” added Jordan.

The onboard experience includes an all Aussie menu with items ordered on demand from the Fly Bonza app and delivered directly to customers’ seats.

The inaugural flight was on 31 January The first flight by new budget airline Bonza took  off on 31 January from Sunshine Coast to Whitsundays, with the carrier pledging to offer “travel for the many, not the few”. Chief executive Tim Jordan the low-cost airline aimed to shake up domestic air travel. “It’s about new market stimulation and giving many places, many people the opportunity to travel to see friends and family. We are about travel for the many, not the few,” he said.

Qantas which flies directly from Bengaluru to Sydney and Delhi to Melbourne four times and a week has expanded its codeshare arrangements with Indigo – India’s leading carrier. The Indian cities under this arrangement are – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam.

Passengers can now fly from Australia to any of these cities under one PNR and can enjoy the international luggage allowance on the domestic sector as well. However all passengers have to complete immigration formalities at Bengaluru or Delhi, pick up their luggage, clear customs and then re-check for the domestic flight

Tourism Australia’s Destination Australia Conference is fast approaching and the interested are requested register soon.

The event will take place at the ICC Sydney on Thursday 16 March and will be followed by a networking function aboard The Jackson.

It will be a good opportunity to reconnect with industry and get the latest insights while planning plan for the year ahead. In attendance will be wide variety of industry and special guests.

A South Australian icon has claimed the coveted ‘Best Australian Beach’ title, with Stokes

Bay on Kangaroo Island the winner for 2023. Located on Kangaroo Island’s north coast, Stokes Bay is family friendly and features a tidal swimming pool perfect for wading and snorkelling.

Curated by beach expert and Friend of Australia Brad Farmer AM for Tourism Australia, the list’s top five includes Boomerang Beach in the NSW MidNorth Coast, Rainbow Beach in Queensland, Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Bruny Island’s Adventure Bay.

Australia was selected as the Best Destination in the Asia-Pacific region at Travel Weekly’s

20th annual Readers’ Choice Awards last month in New York City.

The honour was awarded after an open ballot nomination and two rounds of voting by Travel Weekly readers, who include travel advisors, industry executives and CEOs of the world’s largest travel companies.

Winners in other categories included airlines, hotels, tour operators, and cruise lines, all representing the best of the best in travel.

Tourism Australia is hosting the Business Events Australia Asia Mega Famil Showcase in April 2023 with host city partner BESydney.

The program will include three days in the host city of Sydney/Warrane, where international planners from India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea will have the opportunity to meet with Australian convention bureau during a half day business session and enjoy a destination showcase.

The buyers and media will also experience another Australian destination via either a pre or post famil.

The 43rd edition of Australia’s premier tourism event, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), will be held on the Gold Coast in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland.

ATE23 will take place from 30 April to 4 May 2023 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together Australian tourism operators and international buyers from around the world to meet and do business.

“The long-term benefits from ATE are substantial – the relationships and future business it establishes can grow Australia’s tourism industry by up to $100 billion”, said. Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison at the conclusion of the ATE22 Live event in Sydney,

In 2022, ATE Live was held at ICC Sydney from 15 to 18 May and attracted around 550 international buyers and 550 Australia sellers. ATE Online was held run from 24 to 26 May to connect those unable to make it to the live event.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Gold Coast was one of Australia’s premier conference and holiday destinations.

“The Gold Coast is the perfect destination to remind international travel buyers of the unique, world-class tourism experiences Queensland and Australia have to offer,” Mr Hinchliffe said.