SriLankan Holidays to set up India’s Travel Plans

SriLankan Holidays’ General Manager, Amith Sumanapala said, “TradeNet gives our partners the flexibility they need to quote, amend quotations and confirm bookings as per-clients requirements without the hassle of refereeing all changes through the head office.”

“TradeNet also offers instant confirmation on hotel bookings in destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, giving travellers another hassle free service.”

Air India to launch New Delhi-New York non-stop flight

AI will deploy Boeing 777-200LR (Longer Range) for New Delhi-New York service. The 238-seater aircraft will have eight seats in first class, 35 seats in executive class and 195 seats in economy class. The passengers travelling in premium classes - first and executive - will get a free limousine pick up and drop service to/from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and JFK airport at the time of departure/arrival. Additionally, they will receive a gift voucher of USD 75 and USD 50 respectively for each sector of travel for onboard duty free shopping.

Incredibly unsafe India

The number of foreign tourists in the country has been going up steadily. So has foreign exchange earnings: it was nearly $6,500 million in 2007, up 25 per cent from the previous year. Those in the industry fear the assaults could change all that.

“The dollar is falling, and it has affected our trade. This is somehow being compensated by greater tourist inflow.

Air India’s Frequent Flyer Programme

Members of ‘Flying Returns’, Air India’s Frequent Flyer Programme, who travel on its NonStop flight AI-101/AI-102, being launched effective 8 February 2008 on the Delhi-New York- Delhi sector, can look forward to receiving double mileage points.This introductory offer, applicable for travel from either Delhi or New York, is valid till 30 April 2008.

‘Flying Returns’ members can earn mileage points on both international and domestic sectors each time they fly on qualifying flights of Air India

Duty-free industry hit by govt airport policy

NEW DELHI: Citing security concerns, the Indian government has refused to approach the European Commission for verification of Indian airports, which in turn would have revoked the ban on carriage of the LAGs (Liquid, Aerosol and Gas) such as liquor, perfumes and deodorants from India. The government believes that any such move on its part can lead to “internal security issues” and put the country at national risk.

As per estimates by Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA), LAGs constitute 60% of the sales (Rs 180 crore) at duty free shops in India, and government’s inaction on the issue has left the duty free industry literally in a “no man’s zone.”

Indian Railways targets APIs with OTAs by mid-2008

Indian Railways (IR) is looking at granting APIs (Application Programme Interface) to OTAs and other traditional travel agents, who also have parallel online distribution, by mid-2008. Through the API function, the OTA and the travel agents community with online portals will be able to sell inventory of airlines and railways through a single interface. According to Nalin Shingal, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the railways is currently considering the matter and aims to start the function by mid-2008.

Air India offer to frequent fliers

NEW DELHI: Air India is ringing in the new year with attractive offers to international and domestic passengers. For the first time after the newly merged airline came into being, passengers can look forward to three exciting offers.

Under the “Touch 25” scheme, passengers flying 25 times between the six metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bangalore — during January 1-March 31, 2008 will get a free return ticket for themselves of their nominee in the economy class to New York or London or Shanghai from Delhi or Mumbai.