Latest news with #CoxAndKings
Skift
4 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Iran-Israel Conflict Force Longer Routes for Indian Airlines
The armed conflict between Israel and Iran is the latest in developments that have been disrupting travel in the region. For Indian airlines, it means navigating a maze of airspace closures as Pakistan's airspace still remains restricted. Indian carriers, which were already dealing with Pakistan's airspace closure, are now likely to face even longer flying journeys due to airspace restrictions caused by the Iran-Israel conflict. In a travel advisory posted on X, Air India said, 'Due to the emerging situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East, the subsequent closure of airspace, and in view of the safety of our passengers, some of our flights are operating on alternative extended routes.' Budget airline IndiGo issued a similar advisory, stating that the airspace closure over Iran and nearby regions could lead to longer travel times or cancellations. The Indian embassy in Iran issued advisories for Indian nationals in the country, sharing helpline numbers and links to provide updates to ensure their safety. Tour operator Cox & Kings on Monday said that travel disruptions are leading to a surge in rescheduling and assistance requests, 'particularly from travelers affected by unscheduled layovers and extended delays.' It added that the broader disruptions caused by the Iran airspace closure has placed a temporary pressure on international routes. SpiceJet also said Monday that the airline was witnessing a massive air traffic control congestion at Dubai due to airspace closure over Iran and the unavailability of Muscat airspace. 'All departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might get affected,' it added. Rising Tensions: The Middle East region has been tense for over a year due to the Israel-Palestine conflict that quickly spread to other nearby countries. Last April also witnessed a similar Israel-Iran conflict when airlines flying over Iran had to reroute to different airports or return to original departure locations due to Israel's attack on Iran. The current disruption follows a month after the India-Pakistan conflict led to airspace closure over Pakistan and most of North and West India. Air India AI171 Crash: What We Know So Far The Indian government has put together a committee to investigate the Air India AI171 crash, the ministry of civil aviation said Saturday. On Thursday, an Air India-operated Boeing Dreamliner carrying 242 onboard crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and crew members. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the committee has been given a three-month window to submit a report. Meanwhile, a separate technical investigation will be run by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. On Friday, the black box was recovered from the aircraft's debris. Authorities expect the black box to play a key role in ascertaining the cause behind the crash that occurred just moments after takeoff. The same aircraft had completed its journey from Paris to Delhi to Ahmedabad without incident a few hours prior. Precautionary action has been initiated since the accident. Indian aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered extended safety checks on all Boeing 787 aircraft in the Indian fleet. On Saturday, Air India said that it had completed inspections on nine planes, and the remaining 24 would be inspected within the provided timeline. 'These checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations,' an Air India spokesperson said. Meanwhile, authorities have also been focusing on identifying victims and assisting next of kin. DNA tests are being conducted to match remains with family members. On Sunday, Air India said, 'We have established contact with the next of kin/relatives of all passengers and crew members, expressing our condolences and helping them with the next steps,' adding that over 400 family members reached Ahmedabad and were being assisted by the airline's teams. The airline's parent company the Tata Group announced a financial support of INR 10 million ($116,000) to all the deceased in the crash, including those on-ground in the medical college where the plane crashed. On Saturday, Air India said that it will be providing an additional interim payment of INR 2.5 million ($29,000) each to the families of the deceased and to the survivor, to help address immediate financial needs. Cordelia Cruises Files Draft Papers for IPO India-based Waterways Leisure Tourism, the operator of Cordelia Cruises, has filed its draft papers for an IPO of up to INR 7.27 billion ($84.5 million), Skift has reported. The move comes as the company looks to ramp up its capacity and capitalize on India's growing appetite for leisure travel. Cordelia plans to use INR 5.5 billion ($64 million) from the IPO proceeds to fund lease rentals for these ships through its step-down subsidiary, Baycruise Shipping and Leasing (IFSC). The remaining would be used for general corporate purposes. At present, the company has one cruise vessel - the MV Empress. Cordelia runs cruises to domestic destinations such as Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai, Lakshadweep, Visakhapatnam, and Puducherry. It also offers international itineraries to Sri Lanka and has also sold cruise tickets for its first-time sail to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Cordelia has also signed an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line to lease two ships - Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun. Through this, Cordelia is planning to expand its operations to more ports across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, it said. The company is counting on forecasts that project India's overnight cruise market to grow from INR 8.9 billion ($103 million) in fiscal 2025 to INR 48 billion ($557 million) by fiscal 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 35-40%. As of fiscal 2024, the company claims it holds a 65% share of the overnight ocean and coastal cruise industry in India. Goa Tourism Minister Seeks Air Connectivity, Strong Concert Economy Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte last week met Indian minister of tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu to discuss strategies for enhancing the state's tourism landscape. His focus remained on air connectivity and infrastructure for experience tourism, along with cultural promotion and concert economy. The state is seeking more direct international connectivity as well as improved viability for domestic routes. 'By building a concert economy and strengthening aviation linkages, we aim to make Goa globally accessible while preserving its soul,' Khaunte said in a statement. Goa has been at the center of tourist complaints since last November. Tourists have spoken against the exploitation of visitors by taxi drivers as the state continues to ban Uber and India-based cab aggregator Ola after pressure from local taxi operators. Visitors on social media also said that Goa lacked cleanliness as the beaches were littered with garbage and lacked order, especially when compared to the beaches in Maldives or Thailand. The state, meanwhile, has been trying to diversify its visitor base and offerings. Last June, in an interview with Skift, Khaunte shared the state's vision to attract digital nomads. 'Digital nomads represent a high-spending segment that significantly boosts the local economy. We already host over 10,000 digital nomads from within India, and we aim to increase this number by creating the ideal environment for remote work,' he said. Khaunte also wants a new image for the state, moving away from the 'Goa mein kuchh bhi chalta hai' (anything goes in Goa) mentality. 'We need good tourists coming in who are responsible enough,' Khaunte told Skift. How India's GenZ Is Traveling Indian GenZ are increasingly choosing to travel solo, a deviation from India's long tradition of family travel, Indian online travel agency Cleartrip said. GenZ has a 7% higher share of solo trips as compared to other age groups. 'GenZ travelers seek the freedom to explore offbeat, experience-driven destinations on their terms,' the company added. They are also using digital modes of payment, including India's indigenous UPI instant payment method and debit cards more than credit cards. 'EMI-based travel payments are widely preferred, with more than 10% of Gen Z users opting for this mode,' it noted, adding that this indicates the group's aspiration to travel luxuriously regardless of budget constraints. Convenience is a priority for GenZ travelers, as the company has witnessed a rise in meal-attached bookings among GenZ compared to older age groups. Antara Cruises Launches Shorter Journeys for Indian Travelers River cruising company Antara Cruises has launched new itineraries tailored to Indian travelers. The company said that it has witnessed a growing interest among the domestic market for shorter, yet immersive experiences. The company has so far been operating longer journeys, preferred by international travelers. Now, it has launched new two to three-night itineraries. The move is expected to expand the company's footprint in the domestic market. 'We're seeing growing interest from Indian travelers seeking shorter, meaningful getaways that go beyond the conventional. These new voyages are designed to meet that need,' said Raj Singh, founder and chairman of Antara Cruises. The Oberoi Group's 2030 Sustainability Goals The Oberoi Group on Monday announced the launch of Elements by Oberoi, a comprehensive sustainability framework guided by earth, water, and air. By 2030, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts aims to recycle 100% of wastewater, reduce fresh water usage per occupied room by 20%, source half of its electricity from renewable energy, and fully transition to electric transport and thermal systems. Elements by Oberoi sets a clear path toward reducing ecological impact, imroving operational efficiency, and empowering communities. From eliminating single-use plastics and conserving water to embracing renewable energy and local partnerships, the group's initiatives are designed to create a lasting, positive impact. Arjun Oberoi, executive chairman of The Oberoi Group, said, 'Sustainability is not just a value — it is a way of life.' The hotels group in a press statement said, "Oberoi Hotels & Resorts believes that sustainability extends beyond the environment — it is also about uplifting people and preserving cultural identity."
TTG
09-06-2025
- Business
- TTG
'Lean on our specialists' expertise to sell Italy,' association urges agents
Lisa Leggate, chair of Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy (Abtoi), told TTG Abtoi was keen to get to know the travel agent better community after several members expressed their intention to work more closely with the trade. Founded in 2001 to bring together Italy specialists from all corners of the UK, the organisation currently has 63 members, including the likes of Cox & Kings, Citalia, Inntravel and Kirker Holidays, as well as a number of smaller brands that may not yet be on agents' radar. Leggate claimed that Abtoi and its members share a strong sustainable travel ethos, with the association giving members the option to offset their customers' carbon emissions through a partnership with Trees4Travel. 'If our members are keen to do something, we – as an association – will try to make that happen for them,' she said. 'For the most part, our members are small, niche companies that have real in-depth knowledge about the area they specialise in – they know everything there is to know about it and they can really help travel advisors sell [Italy].' Leggate said the interest from members in stronger ties with the trade stemmed from increased demand from travellers for a tailor-made, expert-led approach to booking holidays. "With the expansion of portals such as Airbnb and a lot of travel companies want to use travel advisors because they're the experts and they give customers what they want – more individual attention,' she said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Want to hurt Turkey and Azerbaijan for backing Pakistan? Billionaire Harsh Goenka says Indians can cause Rs 4,000 crore blow by doing this
Billionaire Harsh Goenka has called on Indians to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan after both countries extended support to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. Goenka, Chairman of RPG Group , posted a direct appeal on X, highlighting the significant contribution of Indian tourists to the two nations' economies last year. 'Indians gave ₹4,000+ crore to Turkey & Azerbaijan last year through tourism. Created jobs. Boosted their economy, hotels, weddings, flights. Today, both stand with Pakistan after Pahalgam attack. Plenty of beautiful places in India & the world. Please skip these 2 places. Jai Hind,' wrote Goenka on 10 May 2025. — hvgoenka (@hvgoenka) GIF89a����!�,D; Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by His post triggered an immediate and widespread response from India's travel industry and netizens alike. Travel industry joins national call for boycott Indian travel platforms swiftly moved to show solidarity. Ixigo was among the first, posting on X: 'In solidarity with our nation, ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan and China. Because when it comes to Bharat, we don't think twice. Jai Hind.' Live Events — ixigo (@ixigo) Cox & Kings announced a temporary suspension of bookings to Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, stating: 'WE STAND WITH INDIA. Sometimes, a pause becomes a necessity. In light of the current national sentiments, we're putting a temporary hold on all new travel to Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Even though respect and understanding of the world remain at the heart of everything we do, while the nation waits, so will some of our journeys. #JaiHind #CoxAndKings.' — coxandkingsIN (@coxandkingsIN) EaseMyTrip issued a travel advisory, saying, 'Travel Advisory!!! Following the Pahalgam attack and escalating tensions between India & Pakistan, travellers are urged to stay aware. As Turkey & Azerbaijan have shown support for Pakistan, we strongly recommend visiting only if absolutely necessary. Stay informed. Travel responsibly.' — EaseMyTrip (@EaseMyTrip) Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Prashant Pitti says, "We were the first ones to take out a travel advisory against Turkey and Azerbaijan when we got to know that these countries were supporting the wrong side. After us, many travel agencies took our similar advisories." Online platform Pickyourtrail also declared. 'We've paused all new travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. When national interest is at stake, we stand with India. While we remain deeply respectful of all people and cultures, some journeys must wait. Jai Hind.' — Pickyourtrail (@Pickyourtrail) Go Homestays took a definitive step, announcing, 'We are officially ending our partnership with Turkish Airlines due to their unsupportive stance towards India. Going forward, we will no longer include their flights in our international travel packages. Jai Hind.' — GoHomestay (@GoHomestay) Also Read: Indians boycott Turkey, Azerbaijan for backing Pakistan after Operation Sindoor; cancellations up 250%: MakeMyTrip Travel bookings nosedive as tensions surge The consequences of the boycott are already visible. MakeMyTrip confirmed a sharp drop in demand: 'Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past one week, with bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey decreasing by 60%, while cancellations have surged by 250% during the same period,' said a MakeMyTrip spokesperson. 'We have already discontinued all promotions and offers on our platform to discourage tourism to these two destinations,' the company added. Meanwhile, Goa Villas declared, 'Due to Turkey's non-cooperative stance in the current global scenario involving India and Pakistan, we've decided not to offer any accommodation services to Turkish citizens in Goa. We stand firmly with our nation. Jai Hind.' Operation Sindoor and the fallout The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, which killed 26 Indian tourists, triggered nationwide grief and outrage. In response, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on 7 May, striking nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Soon after, both Turkey and Azerbaijan made public statements supporting Pakistan. Their remarks, viewed by many Indians as provocative, led to a wave of online criticism and the current travel boycott campaign. The backlash has been fierce. Social media users have recalled India's past goodwill, including its humanitarian aid to Turkey following a devastating earthquake. The contrast between that support and Turkey's present stance has only intensified public anger. Indians were the second-largest group of foreign visitors to Turkey after the Chinese in 2024, spending more per capita than most other travellers. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, saw a 108% surge in Indian tourist arrivals last year. The call to boycott tourism is not merely symbolic. If sustained, the impact could significantly affect the hospitality and travel sectors of both countries. Indian tourists, weddings, and business events contribute heavily to their economies. For many Indians, the issue is not just about geopolitics, but about principle. The travel industry's rapid alignment with this sentiment shows how patriotism and public opinion can translate into real-world action. As Goenka stated plainly, 'Plenty of beautiful places in India and the world. Please skip these 2 places. Jai Hind.'
Skift
09-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Indian Travel Firms Suspend Bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan Over Pakistan Support
Travel is now becoming part of India's soft power toolkit. And the country is no longer shying away from using its muscle to make that point. Several Indian travel companies suspended new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan on Friday, a new step in the escalating fallout from the India-Pakistan conflict. The decisions followed official condemnations from Turkey and Azerbaijan of India's recent strikes in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, sparking calls on Indian social media for a boycott of travel to both nations. Regarding the Recent Developments Between Pakistan and India — Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) May 7, 2025 PickYourTrail said it is still supporting travelers currently abroad or with existing itineraries, but that it will not accept new trips to Turkey or Azerbaijan. 'We're pausing all new bookings to these destinations for now,' said Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of PickYourTrail, in a post on LinkedIn. 'This isn't a judgment on people or cultures... but when a government's stance challenges India's sovereignty, we believe it's our responsibility to respond, not look away.' Cox & Kings, an India-based company owned by Wilson & Hughes, also paused travel to Uzbekistan. Karan Agarwal, the director, said the company is prioritizing traveler safety and national sentiment: 'We also advise Indian travelers to exercise discretion and avoid any non-essential travel to these destinations until there is greater clarity and alignment in the broader geopolitical environment.' EaseMyTrip founder Nishant Pittie urged travelers to reconsider travel plans unless absolutely necessary. 'It is disheartening to note that Turkey and Azerbaijan have extended their support to Pakistan,' Pittie said in a statement. Travel accommodation brand Go Homestays announced an end to its partnership with Turkish Airlines, citing the airline's 'unsupportive stance towards India.' Due to Turkey's non-cooperative stance in the current global scenario involving India and Pakistan, we've decided not to offer any accommodation services to Turkish citizens in Goa. We stand firmly with our nation. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 — Goa Villas (@Goavilla_) May 8, 2025 Vacation rental company Goa Villas said it would no longer accept Turkish citizens as guests in its properties. Social media has amplified calls for boycotts, with many users urging fellow Indians to avoid holidays in Turkey and Azerbaijan, despite their popularity and recent growth in Indian tourist numbers. The rise in Indian outbound travel to these regions was significant before the current crisis. More than 243,000 Indians visited Azerbaijan in 2024, double the prior year and up from around 5,000 in 2014. Turkey reported a 21% increase in Indian visitors in 2024. The tourism board cited better air connectivity, wedding tourism, and marketing efforts as playing a crucial role in positioning Turkey as a preferred destination for Indian travelers. The Background After tensions escalated between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, India has so far shut down 27 major airports in north, west and central parts of the country till May 10. These include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Shimla, Bhatinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jammu, Leh, Rajkot, Pathankot, Bhuj, Gwalior, Hindon and more. With the tightening of security measures at airports, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has asked passengers to arrive at the airports at least three hours prior to departure. 'In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding,' Air india said in a statement. IndiGo in an update said that with all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot cancelled until May 10, bookings made on or before May 8 are eligible for change/cancellation fee waiver for travel until May 22 to and from these destinations. Air India Express said it is offering a full refund or free rescheduling for flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon until 05:30hrs on May 10.
