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Airlines considering special discounts for travellers with only cabin bag

Airlines Considering Special Discounts For Travellers With Only Cabin Bag The latest move may pivot frequent travelers from staying in hotels to flying even more Source – www.business-standard.com People carrying only their carry-on luggage may receive a special discount from airlines. People familiar with the development said that airlines are considering discounted fares for such passengers, according to a report by Mint. The new policy may benefit 2 in 5 domestic travellers. Small businessmen and corporate executives travelling for short trips may benefit the most. The report said the latest move might pivot frequent travellers from staying in hotels to flying even more. A senior executive at an online travel operator said that Indian airlines are analysing the market and trying to zero in on routes where such offers would make the most sense. He added that this service would primarily benefit those running micro, small, and medium enterprises, as published in the report. Currently, the lowest airfares on domestic routes allow a cabin bag weighing up to 8 kg and check-in luggage weighing 15–25 kg. So far, no Indian carrier offers cabin luggage-only fares. On the other hand, several foreign carriers follow this practice. The report added that Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, already offers zero baggage fares from India. Speaking on the matter, India’s largest domestic airline, Indigo, said that it is considering fares along similar lines. The report quoted an Indigo spokesperson saying, “We will continue to evaluate our service offerings to offer options and flexibility to meet the evolving needs of our customers.” In earlier attempts to attract more customers, airlines have tried to roll out special fares for their passengers. However, the national aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, rejected an attempt in 2017. It is important to note that hand baggage-only fares are standard practice for several European and American airlines that offer the service for short-haul flights. Indian airlines are also planning to incorporate a similar arrangement as it helps save fuel and vacate cargo space, which can be used to generate additional revenue, the report said.

Destination Wedding, Revamp Religious Sites is a key Points to Boost Tourism In India

Destination Wedding, Revamp Religious Sites is a key Points to Boost Tourism In India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed a post-budget webinar – a 12-part series organised by the government inviting suggestions to effectively implement the Budget 2023 announcements. Titled ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’, PM Modi said ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas and ‘long-term vision’ will help tourism scale new heights. He explained how Budget 2023 aims to create employment and investment opportunities in the tourism sector. Highlight from PM Modi’s speech: 1. India needs to encourage various types of tourism related to the Himalayas, wildlife, spirituality, heritage, and the northeast because the nation’s tourist spots have been ignored since independence, Modi said. India should also explore its scope in birdwatching, he added. 2. Stressing on the impact of renovating religious sites, he said that the revamped Kashi Vishwanath Dham had 7 crore visitors, while Kedarnath and Statue of Unity recorded a footfall of 15 lakh and 27 tourists, respectively. He added that bringing in more amenities and enabling ease of travel will boost tourism. 3. Although some people think tourism is a ‘fancy word’ meant for people earning high incomes, it has a socio-cultural context in India, the PM said. Announcing the need to introduce special packages for destination weddings, he said that the industry has huge tourism potential as even the middle-class and upper-middle are choosing such intercultural wedding functions. 4. Taking the example of Qatar after hosting the Fifa World Cup, the PM said that sports tourism should be developed by building similar infrastructure. 5. India should focus on modernising its tourist apps and make it accessible in all official languages of India and the United Nations, set up multilingual signboards at tourist spots and boost digital connectivity. 6. Colleges should take up initiative to enhance the knowledge of professional tour guides through certificate courses and competitions in order to attract foreign tourists. The month of January saw eight lakh foreign tourists in India, PM Modi said. 7.Through ‘Vibrant Village Yojana’ for villages near borders and other programmes, the Centre is extending support to local homestays, hotels and businesses in tourist spots. Enhancing the infrastructure in such areas has catapulted remote villages to the map of tourism. 8. As per an announcement in Budget 2023, at least 50 destinations will be picked and developed in mission mode so that it will ‘feature on tourists’ list when they think of visiting India’. While urging stakeholders to send ideas, PM Modi said that each destination will come up with its revenue model. Sector specific upskilling and entrepreneurship training will be merged to achieve the aim of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’. Source Link

Destination Wedding, Revamp Religious Sites is a key Points to Boost Tourism In India

PM Modi explained how Budget 2023 aims to create employment and investment opportunities in the tourism sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a post-budget webinar on ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’. (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed a post-budget webinar – a 12-part series organised by the government inviting suggestions to effectively implement the Budget 2023 announcements. Titled ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’, PM Modi said ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas and ‘long-term vision’ will help tourism scale new heights. He explained how Budget 2023 aims to create employment and investment opportunities in the tourism sector. Highlight from PM Modi’s speech: 1. India needs to encourage various types of tourism related to the Himalayas, wildlife, spirituality, heritage, and the northeast because the nation’s tourist spots have been ignored since independence, Modi said. India should also explore its scope in birdwatching, he added. 2. Stressing on the impact of renovating religious sites, he said that the revamped Kashi Vishwanath Dham had 7 crore visitors, while Kedarnath and Statue of Unity recorded a footfall of 15 lakh and 27 tourists, respectively. He added that bringing in more amenities and enabling ease of travel will boost tourism. 3. Although some people think tourism is a ‘fancy word’ meant for people earning high incomes, it has a socio-cultural context in India, the PM said. Announcing the need to introduce special packages for destination weddings, he said that the industry has huge tourism potential as even the middle-class and upper-middle are choosing such intercultural wedding functions. 4. Taking the example of Qatar after hosting the Fifa World Cup, the PM said that sports tourism should be developed by building similar infrastructure. 5. India should focus on modernising its tourist apps and make it accessible in all official languages of India and the United Nations, set up multilingual signboards at tourist spots and boost digital connectivity. 6. Colleges should take up initiative to enhance the knowledge of professional tour guides through certificate courses and competitions in order to attract foreign tourists. The month of January saw eight lakh foreign tourists in India, PM Modi said. 7.Through ‘Vibrant Village Yojana’ for villages near borders and other programmes, the Centre is extending support to local homestays, hotels and businesses in tourist spots. Enhancing the infrastructure in such areas has catapulted remote villages to the map of tourism. 8. As per an announcement in Budget 2023, at least 50 destinations will be picked and developed in mission mode so that it will ‘feature on tourists’ list when they think of visiting India’. While urging stakeholders to send ideas, PM Modi said that each destination will come up with its revenue model. Sector specific upskilling and entrepreneurship training will be merged to achieve the aim of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’.