Skift hold
Goa uses adventure tourism to diversify its image: it is known for its beaches, nightlife and parties. Stimulating the local economy and extending the tourist season is also part of its vision of regenerative tourism.
Bulbul Dhawan
The Goa Tourism Department has launched a series of adventure tourism activities, such as paramotor and shooting experiences, along with white-water rafting, bungee jumping and scuba diving . This, he says, is aimed at meeting the growing demand for unique experiences among travelers.
“The demand for adventure tourism among inbound tourists to Goa is steadily increasing, reflecting a global trend towards active and immersive experiences,” the Goa Tourism Department told Skift.
Ryan Prazeres, CEO of Goa-based tourism travel agency OneBoard App, estimates that around 80% of the 10 million annual tourists to Goa engage in some form of adventure activity during their stay. “I think these activities will attract many tourists who might not have initially considered Goa as a holiday destination,” he added.
The Goa Tourism Department hopes to attract a steady flow of visitors throughout the year. “This increase in adventure offerings has a positive impact on inbound tourism by attracting new demographics and extending the tourist season, creating a steady flow of visitors throughout the year,” he said. declared.
According to the department, adventure tourism is crucial to diversifying the state's tourism sector and boosting the local economy.
Prazeres agrees: “The emergence of new providers will create healthy competition, leading to improved quality and customer service at all levels. » He added that local tourism players, such as accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes and taxi services, will also benefit. of the increase in tourist flows.
Goa is striving to diversify its tourism offering and move beyond its current image around beaches, nightlife and parties, said state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte. said earlier to Skift. This is why it also seeks to attract digital nomads by creating the ideal environment for remote working.
Air India and Singapore Airlines extend codeshare agreement
Air India and Singapore Airlines extend their codeshare agreement to 51 new destinations. These include 11 cities in India and 40 international destinations, Singapore Airlines said in a statement. statement.
Later this week, both airlines will begin code sharing arrangement on mutual flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Chennai. Thus, the total number of weekly codeshare flights scheduled between the two countries will increase from 14 to 56.
Singapore Airlines will also codeshare on Air India's domestic flights on several routes, including to 11 new destinations. Air India's international flights from Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai to 12 international destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa will also be subject to the codeshare agreement. Meanwhile, Air India will share codes on flights to 29 destinations on the Singapore Airlines network.
The airlines plan to expand their codeshare agreement in the future.
How DigiYatra is transforming the travel experience in India
At Indian airports, passengers must queue at the terminal gate for document verification. DigiYatraIndian airport entry system, eliminates this problem by using facial recognition to verify your identity at the boarding gate without having to take out an ID or boarding pass.
In a interview With my colleague Peden Doma Bhutia, Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the DigiYatra Foundation, discussed the origins of the project, its ambitions and what it would mean for the future of air travel. Last month, DigiYatra was launched in 9 airports, taking the total to 24 airports in India, with plans for further expansion.
DigiYatra is currently focused on domestic travel, but has long-term plans to expand internationally. “We are working on integrating e-passport-based registration, which will allow passengers to use the system for international flights,” he said. However, implementation for international travel would require collaboration with international airports and border control authorities. Khadakbhavi said they are working in this direction.
Sentosa Development Corporation partners with STIC Travel Group
Sentosa Development Corporation, which manages the Sentosa Island resort in Singapore, has entered into a partnership with travel services company STIC Travel Group to position Sentosa as a sustainable destination among Indian travelers. The collaboration aims to provide Indian students with educational experiences around Sentosa’s sustainable practices and ecosystems.
This partnership is a continuation of STIC's efforts to strengthen educational tourism in Singapore. As part of this, an “Unchartered Sentosa” tour will be launched in November to allow Indian students to explore the principles of sustainability on the island through various activities.
India's travel plans for the festive season
A survey by American Express found that well over 90% of Indian respondents plan to travel between October 2024 and January 2025. Leisure is the biggest motivator, followed by the desire to explore new places and meet friends and family. More than 90% of travelers surveyed are also willing to spend more to ensure a convenient and enjoyable experience.
Around 73% of Indian travelers use credit cards and loyalty points to reduce the cost of their travel plans. Apart from this, Indians also consider travel as a gift during this festive season.
New AI-powered travel insurance solution
India-based general insurer ICICI Lombard has launched an AI-powered travel insurance solution called TripSecure+. The product aims to make travel insurance more customizable and accessible.
TripSecure+ offers benefits such as visa fee reimbursement in the event of visa refusal, car rental coverage, and adventure sports coverage. The product also provides coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Korea Tourism Organization holds roadshow in Delhi
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) concluded its 2024 roadshow in Delhi. The roadshow facilitated interactions among stakeholders in the Indian travel industry to interact with various destination marketing companies, key Korean brands and airlines.
In 2023, Korea welcomed more than 120,000 Indian visitors. As of August this year, more than 119,000 Indians had visited Korea. The country hopes to attract 500,000 Indian tourists per year by 2026.
