The move strengthens its presence in the Visakhapatnam market and the wider Andhra Pradesh region, offering travellers convenient access to a range of foreign exchange services and currencies.

According to Thomas Cook India’s India Forex Report 2026, Tier 2 cities account for 41% of overall forex demand, while Tier 3 cities contribute a further 12%. Together, these markets account for over half (53%) of overall forex demand, highlighting the next phase of forex growth in the Indian travel market.

Visakhapatnam represents an important market within this broader shift. With the opening of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, the region is gaining a new aviation gateway and is expected to handle over 28 lakh domestic and international passengers annually. The airport currently has international connectivity to destinations including the UAE and Singapore, with the potential addition of further Southeast Asian routes expected to support international passenger growth.

The expansion in Visakhapatnam is part of Thomas Cook India’s broader strategy of strengthening its airport forex presence across key aviation gateways. In Delhi, the company recently reopened its forex counters at Terminals 1 & 2 in June & July 2026. At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, the company opened multiple forex counters at both terminals earlier this year.

Thomas Cook India’s airport counter transaction data also provides insight into the diverse purposes driving outbound travel. Leisure and holiday travel is the largest segment, followed by employment-related travel. Reconversion transactions, where NRIs or foreign nationals convert their unspent Indian currency back into foreign currency and student travel also contribute to the overall transaction mix. This highlights the diverse forex needs the company meets across its airport network.

The expanding airport footprint is aligned with the changing geography of India’s outbound travel and forex demand. As international travel gains momentum across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, Thomas Cook India is focused on extending its physical and digital forex services across key travel corridors and high-potential markets.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Chief Business Officer — Foreign Exchange Deepesh Varma commented: “The opening of our new forex counters at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is an important step in strengthening our presence in Visakhapatnam and the wider Andhra Pradesh market. 

“Our India Forex Report 2026 highlights the significant contribution of Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, which together account for over half of overall forex demand. This reinforces our view that the next phase of growth will increasingly come from India’s emerging travel markets. As Visakhapatnam develops into an important international aviation gateway, we see a strong opportunity to bring our forex services closer to customers in the region. Alongside the reopening of our airport forex counters in Delhi and the opening of new counters in Bengaluru, we will continue to evaluate strategic opportunities that enable us to build a stronger presence across India’s evolving travel and forex landscape.”

(Source: Thomas Cook (India).

The post Thomas Cook India boosts forex network appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The proposed collaboration seeks to bring together Visa’s expertise in trusted digital commerce and intelligent discovery experiences with ONDC’s open network infrastructure, with the shared objective of simplifying how travellers discover experiences, itineraries and tourism offerings across the country. The exploration aims to make tourism discovery more seamless and accessible while helping travellers connect with destinations, experiences, and local businesses across India.

Speaking at the Global Fintech Festival 2026, Visa Group Country Manager, India & South Asia, Suresh Sethi said: “India has taken a very futuristic approach in terms of how we can digitally connect people, and that is on open networks. When a global Indian is travelling out, or when somebody is coming from overseas, you are really looking for places where you can discover the experiences you can get in India. 

“We also see many agents being used to curate and create journeys, helping people discover experiences. India has its own homegrown digital public infrastructure, creating opportunities for digital commerce, and we realise tourism can be a key asset where ONDC can serve as the country’s digital infrastructure for tourism.

“Everything related to tourism, whether discovering experiences, cities or travel itineraries, as well as small and medium businesses in the ecosystem, can potentially be housed in one place. ONDC brings the trust of a homegrown India digital public infrastructure, while Visa brings trusted discovery experiences. Together, the two can create a superlative experience for anyone considering India as a destination. We are delighted to be exploring this opportunity with ONDC.”

As part of this exploration, Visa and ONDC will evaluate opportunities to leverage open network principles, trusted commerce and digital innovation to create richer tourism discovery experiences and support India’s ambition of becoming an even more accessible and attractive destination for travellers. The collaboration will also explore ways to support tourism participation across destinations, regions and local economies through an open and trusted digital ecosystem.

(Source: Visa)

The post Visa and ONDC to simplify travel booking experience appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Scheduled to open in 2029, the resort is Ashya Group’s first hospitality project. 

Located outside of Hyderabad, the resort site sits a 60-minute drive from Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (approximately 71 km) and a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the Hyderabad city centre (approximately 90 km), placing it within easy reach of one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan markets while remaining immersed in an undisturbed, nature-led setting.

Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort will comprise 185 keys, with rooms starting at 48 sqm, and will include 47 pool villas ranging from 90 to 280 sqm. An additional 50 branded residences will be developed adjacent to the resort, extending Anantara’s luxury hospitality to owners seeking a permanent address on the reservoir.

The resort will feature dining options, including an all-day dining venue, two speciality restaurants, and a wellness café, plus a lobby lounge and poolside bar. 

Leisure facilities will include an Anantara Spa, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool, and a kids’ club. The resort will also cater to destination events and meetings with its ballroom, multiple breakout rooms and an event lawn for outdoor functions.

Minor International Chairman & Founder William E Heinecke noted: “Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort reflects what the Anantara brand does best — it brings guests closer to the authentic character of a destination. The project’s waterfront setting and distinctive design vision allow us to build that immersion properly. Partnering with Ashya Group on this project marks a significant step in strengthening our presence across Southern India.”

Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort is the latest addition to Minor Hotels’ expanding presence in India. The group introduced the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand to the country in 2025 with the opening of the Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur Hotel. Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort joins a growing pipeline of projects in India as Minor Hotels works towards its target of 50 properties within the next decade, including Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort and Anantara Kolkata Hotel, announced in April 2026 and Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort in 2025.

(Source: Minor Hotels)

The post Minor expands footprint in India appeared first on TTR Weekly.

From 1 to 3 September, professionals across the Leisure, MICE, Corporate Travel and Travel Technology sectors came together to connect with regional and international partners, gain new market perspectives and explore avenues for future growth.

More than 3,000 industry professionals attended this year’s edition, including over 400 qualified buyers, with more than 100 exhibiting brands represented at ITB India 2026.

“India and South Asia continue to offer significant opportunities for the global travel industry, and the international participation at ITB India this year reflects the strong interest we continue to see in these markets,” said Messe Berlin Asia Pacific Executive Director, Darren Seah. “By connecting global suppliers with qualified buyers and combining commercial exchange with industry insights, networking and senior-level dialogue, ITB India offers a valuable B2B marketplace where new relationships and ideas can develop into long-term business.”

Exhibiting brands from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Africa, Northeast Asia and South America participated in this year’s edition. Among this year’s exhibitors were Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran, Halong International Cruise, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, IHCL, MakeMyTrip, Northern Lights Villages, oneworld alliance, Philippine Airlines, Sarawak Tourism Board, Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, Tokyu Hotels Japan and Visit Maldives Corporation.

ITB India 2026 was backed by a network of travel trade and industry associations, strengthening its engagement with travel agents, tour operators, MICE professionals and tourism communities across India. Participating associations include the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), Global Travel Agent Association (GTAA), Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Skal International India, Tourism India Alliance (TIA), Travel Agencies Association Pune (TAAP), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Association of Nashik (TAAN), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and Travel Trade Association of Uttar Pradesh (TTAUP).

Dates for the diary

ITB Asia will be held in Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2026, covering the APAC market. The inaugural ITB Americas will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 10 to 12 November 2026, covering the American market. ITB Berlin, the world’s leading B2B trade show for the travel industry, will take place in Berlin from 16 March to 18 March 2027. ITB China, the premier marketplace for China’s travel industry, is scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2027 in Shanghai.

(Source: ITB India)

The post ITB India wraps up its 4th edition appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Ahmedabad joins Amritsar and Varanasi in the growing Easy Connect network, extending seamless international connectivity to travellers across Gujarat while supporting India’s ambition of becoming a leading global aviation hub.

Through this initiative, more travellers across India can access Air India’s global network through Indian hubs, strengthening the country’s connectivity with destinations around the world.

As part of the Easy Connect programme, international travellers from Ahmedabad can check in for their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Ahmedabad airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without rechecking baggage or changing terminals.

This enables travellers to fly via Delhi as international transit passengers, avoiding repeated procedures and making international travel significantly simpler and more convenient. By connecting through an Indian hub rather than a foreign airport, travellers can enjoy a more familiar and seamless transit experience.

Air India has designated the following two daily flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services:

AI1121, departing Ahmedabad at 2015 and arriving in Delhi at 2200 (starting 1 September)
AI1117, departing Ahmedabad at 0825 and arriving in Delhi at 1015 (starting 2 September)

Together, these flights provide seamless onward connectivity to 26 international destinations within four hours of arrival in Delhi, including destinations across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Gulf.

Air India will also soon begin inbound Easy Connect operations, enabling seamless international-to-domestic transfers via Delhi for passengers travelling onwards to Ahmedabad.

Commenting at the launch, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said: “The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to Ahmedabad is another step forward in our vision towards building a more connected, inclusive and globally competitive aviation ecosystem. India’s aviation growth must extend beyond the major metropolitan centres and ensure that the benefits of air connectivity reach every region of the country. By linking Ahmedabad with global destinations through Indian hubs, this initiative will support trade, tourism and mobility, while advancing our vision of strengthening India’s role in global aviation.”

Connecting Gujarat to 26 destinations

Flight AI1117, the morning Easy Connect service from Ahmedabad, provides onward connectivity via Delhi to destinations such as Shanghai, Kathmandu, Dubai, Amsterdam, Manila, Paris, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Milan, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Rome and Zurich.

Flight AI1121, the evening Easy Connect service, provides onward connectivity to destinations such as Singapore, Seoul, Colombo, Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Dubai, Toronto, Sydney and London.

The Easy Connect initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage more international traffic to transit through Indian airports instead of overseas hubs. Of the nearly 25 million passengers who travel long-haul to and from India each year, close to 20 million are connecting travellers. Currently, around 85% of them, or approximately 17 million passengers, transit through foreign hubs rather than Indian airports.

Passengers travelling on Air India’s Easy Connect flights must complete certain pre-departure and transit processes to ensure a seamless journey, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian nationals. Indian passport holders connecting internationally on Easy Connect flights must enrol in DigiYatra. Web check-in and Customs declaration are not available at spoke airports.

Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights are available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, and travel agents.

(Source: Air India)

The post Air India releases Easy Connect flights appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The new outlet expands Thomas Cook India’s network to 10 locations in the city and 16 across Tamil Nadu State, enhancing access to its comprehensive range of travel services.

Manapakkam is emerging as a prominent residential and IT hub in Chennai. With its expanding residential and corporate ecosystem, Manapakkam has emerged as an important catchment for a diverse and growing base of travellers.

The new outlet will cater to travellers from Manapakkam and its neighbouring catchments across diverse customer segments — families, couples, Young India’s Millennials and GenZ, business travellers and GenS (seniors). 

Thomas Cook’s Manapakkam outlet offers end-to-end travel services: 
International and domestic holidays (group tours, personalised holidays, and cruises); 
Value-added services such as travel Insurance. 

Additionally, Thomas Cook’s AI booking platform helps customers plan personalised vacations in real time by checking availability and making reservations in minutes.

Chennai/Tamil Nadu Travel Trends

Year-round travel: Chennai travellers are increasingly leveraging public holidays and weekends to take multiple short breaks and mini-cations throughout the year, extending travel beyond traditional holiday seasons.

Growing demand for spiritual tourism: Pilgrimage and spiritual travel continue to gain momentum, with Thomas Cook India strengthening its Spiritual Tourism portfolio to cater to this growing segment. Key destinations include Kailash Mansarovar, Char Dham, Puri, Kashi, Ujjain and Ayodhya.

Fresh new destinations: Chennai travellers are displaying growing interest in destinations such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Iceland, Antarctica and Seychelles. Cruise holidays and charter flight-based holidays are also gaining traction.

Demand for unique experiences: Travellers are increasingly seeking differentiated, immersive experiences while exploring emerging destinations beyond conventional itineraries.

Top destinations

Chennai is a strong source market generating travel bookings for trips to the following domestic and overseas destinations.

International: Europe’s Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy, Spain; the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden; Eastern European destinations such as the Czech Republic and Hungary; Australia and New Zealand; South America; Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Japan and South Korea; as well as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Domestic and Indian subcontinent: Kashmir-Leh, Northeast India, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Sri Lanka and Andaman

(Source: Thomas Cook India)

The post Thomas Cook increases sales outlets in Chennai appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Launched from 1 September, the uniforms are being introduced across cabin crew, airport services, aviation security, and flight operations teams, reflecting the airline’s evolving identity and its ongoing transformation of the guest experience.

The refreshed uniforms extend Air India Express’ Tales of India initiative beyond its aircraft and into everyday guest interactions. Through the initiative, the airline has introduced distinctive aircraft tail art inspired by India’s indigenous art forms, crafts and cultural heritage. 

Drawing from the same inspiration, the uniforms incorporate design elements influenced by Tamil Nadu’s Kanjeevaram, Himachal Pradesh’s Pattu, Gujarat’s Patola, Assam’s Gamosa and Madhya Pradesh’s Bagh. The design reflects the meaningful connections Air India Express creates across regions, cultures and communities, while contemporary silhouettes inspired by the traditional kurti, complemented by tailored jackets, scarves and pocket squares, bring together Indian sensibilities and modern design.

Air India Express Group Head of Marketing, E-Commerce and Loyalty Sunil Suresh said: “Our frontline teams shape some of the most memorable moments in every guest’s journey, and these new uniforms are designed to reflect their energy, professionalism and warmth. More than a refreshed look, they represent how Air India Express has evolved over the past few years, creating a consistent experience across our aircraft, airports and onboard service, while staying rooted in the warmth and vibrance that define us. Inspired by the spirit of our Tales of India initiative, the uniforms thoughtfully bring together cultural authenticity, comfort and functionality for our teams.”

Anchored in Air India Express’ vibrant Xpress Blue palette and accented with its signature Xpress Orange, the uniforms create a visual connection with the airline’s brand and guest experience. The colour palette reflects the airline’s energetic personality while reinforcing a cohesive look and feel across touchpoints.

About Air India Express
Air India Express is A Tata Enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 48 domestic and 16 international destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. 

(Source: Air India Express)

The post Air India Express presents new uniforms appeared first on TTR Weekly.

SriLankan’s Middle East network spans Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait, offering passengers connections via Colombo between the Middle East and southern Indian cities, such as Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Cochin.

SriLankan Airlines Head of Commercial Dimuthu Tennakoon stated: “As an airline that has been connecting passengers to the Middle East for over 40 years, we are delighted to announce our full return to the region. 

“This milestone marks not only the restoration of convenient connectivity, but also the return of the dependable service and warm Sri Lankan hospitality that have made us a preferred carrier for travellers across South Asia.”

SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager India, Bangladesh and Nepal Fawzan Fareid added: “Our Middle East network has long been a vital part of our service to customers in South India. While the past few months presented significant challenges for our Middle East operations, we remained resilient by strengthening other markets and staying committed to serving our customers across India. As we restore our full Middle East network, we are excited to build on this momentum with renewed confidence and continue delivering the seamless connectivity, dependable service and warm SriLankan hospitality that our passengers value.”

With 90 weekly flights between India and Colombo, serving Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, SriLankan counts India as its largest market. 

SriLankan Airlines connects passengers to 130 destinations across 63 countries through its own services and codeshare partnerships, while operating direct services to 33 destinations worldwide. Its network spans Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia. 

The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising A330-200/300 and A320/321 aircraft. 

(Source: SriLankan)

The post SriLankan Airlines back flying to Kuwait appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The partnership enables passengers to benefit from a single-ticket itinerary combining Air India and Drukair flights, ensuring a seamless end-to-end travel experience. It offers coordinated baggage and passenger transfer through to the final destination, delivering a seamless travel experience via Air India’s hub at Delhi – Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Passengers will also benefit from competitive interline fares, providing enhanced flexibility, improved connectivity, and greater overall value.

The partnership enables Air India guests to travel seamlessly to Paro via Delhi from across Air India’s expanding international network. It also provides convenient onward connections within Bhutan, from Paro to Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula.

With this partnership, Air India offers seamless connectivity to nearly all countries in the SAARC region through its own or partner network.

Reciprocally, Drukair passengers gain direct access via Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata to Air India’s extensive domestic network, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi, as well as a wide range of major international destinations such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Colombo, Newark, Frankfurt, New York (JFK), London (Heathrow), Melbourne, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto Pearson, and Vancouver.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal said: “Our partnership with Drukair reinforces our commitment to strengthening connectivity across the SAARC region, which we consider our extended home market. Bhutan is a valued part of this region, and we are happy to enable easy access to Bhutan for our guests and look forward to welcoming Drukair’s passengers onto Air India’s extensive domestic and global network.

Drukair Chief Executive Officer Tandi Wangchuk said: “This partnership marks a significant milestone for Drukair as we continue to strengthen our global connectivity and enhance the travel experience for our passengers. Through this interline partnership with Air India, our customers will benefit from seamless journeys, expanded access to key international markets, and improved connectivity across India and beyond.”

(Source: Air India)

The post Air India and Druk Air boost interline accord appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Following the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on summer travel plans to Europe, renewed interest is now emerging in experiential journeys to these destinations. 

Responding to this shift, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have curated a portfolio of Fall and Winter holidays across key international destinations, bringing together seasonal highlights, distinctive experiences and varied travel styles for the Indian traveller.

The Northern Lights continue to remain one of the season’s most compelling draws, with Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland offering ways to experience the Arctic. Beyond Aurora viewing, travellers can explore snow-covered landscapes through husky/reindeer sledging, snowmobile excursions and snowshoeing. Travellers are also choosing unique accommodations such as the famous glass-ceilinged igloo houses, snow-hotels, log cabins and Arctic tree houses.

Europe takes on a distinctive character in winter as its cities and towns transition into the festive season. France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and the Czech Republic offer Christmas markets, illuminated streets, seasonal gastronomy and cultural celebrations. For travellers looking beyond the festivities, the Alps offer scenic rail journeys, mountain stays, winter sports, and panoramic landscapes. At the same time, distinctive alpine accommodation and local culinary experiences add another layer to the journey. Across Scandinavia, winter cruises and whale-watching experiences offer another immersive way to experience the season, combining dramatic fjords, Arctic landscapes and wildlife encounters.

North America adds another dimension to Fall and Winter travel, combining dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventure and vibrant festive experiences. Canada’s Rockies offer snow-covered mountain scenery alongside skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, wildlife encounters, gondola rides and scenic winter trails. At the same time, the USA brings together New York’s iconic holiday season with experiences ranging from festive light-ups and seasonal markets to mountain escapes, winter sports, scenic road trips and nature-led adventures.

For travellers who would rather leave the cold behind, Australia and New Zealand offer a completely different seasonal proposition, with spectacular New Year celebrations adding to the appeal. Australia brings together vibrant city celebrations, spectacular coastlines, wildlife encounters and outdoor adventures, while New Zealand offers mountains, lakes, fjords and nature-led experiences. Together, the destinations provide a compelling option for travellers seeking sunshine, adventure, the outdoors and memorable New Year experiences during the months September to January.

Across these destinations, Fall and Winter travel is evolving beyond sightseeing towards more immersive, season-led experiences. From Arctic adventures and festive Europe to North American winter landscapes and sun-filled celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are bringing together journeys that combine destination, season and experience.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said: “Travel is increasingly being defined by the experience a destination can offer at a particular time of year. Fall and winter open up some of the world’s most compelling travel moments, from the Aurora across Arctic skies and snow-covered Alpine landscapes to Europe’s festive traditions and the outdoors of the Southern Hemisphere. At Thomas Cook India, we offer these diverse seasonal experiences to Indian travellers and bring deep expertise in curating journeys that go beyond conventional itineraries. We are seeing a clear shift towards holidays that are richer, more immersive and built around meaningful experiences, with travellers willing to explore beyond conventional winter destinations. This is reshaping the opportunity for the industry, as seasonal travel evolves from a destination choice into a more experience-led way of discovering the world.”

SOTC Travel Limited President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar said: “The winter holiday is evolving from a standard itinerary into a carefully curated experience. Travellers are increasingly combining the core destination with experiences that add depth to the journey — whether that is a Northern Lights escape, a scenic rail journey, a unique stay, local gastronomy, wellness or a snow-filled adventure. What is particularly encouraging is the diversity of this demand: couples are seeking immersive, romantic escapes; families are combining festive celebrations with adventure; and younger travellers and groups are actively seeking experiences and destinations beyond the conventional winter circuit. This allows us to create more distinctive, experience-rich journeys that reflect how Indians want to travel today.”

(Source: Thomas Cook India)

The post Thomas Cook India launches Fall and Winter journeys appeared first on TTR Weekly.