Goa is not ready to lose out on the destination wedding business, especially this close to the upcoming wedding season. The state has rolled back its decision to increase the fees to hold private events, including weddings.
17.09.2024 - 17:43 / skift.com / Peden Doma Bhutia / Ashab Rizvi
Two major names in Indian aviation — Air India and Vistara — are set to become one. On November 11, Vistara will officially merge into Air India. Join Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and Skift Research Analyst Ashab Rizvi as they dive into the merger, weighing whether it’s a strategic win or a potential misstep for the Tata Group.
Vistara Merger with Air India: Vistara officially merges with Air India in two months from now. Vistara is known for premium service, contrasting with Air India’s outdated image and history of mismanagement. Tata’s decision to merge is likely driven by strategy, avoiding brand competition on key international routes (e.g., London).
Brand and Service Reputation: Vistara, launched in 2014, quickly became a well-loved airline. Tata’s focus is on harmonizing operations under the Air India brand to avoid internal competition.
Network and Route Strategy: Air India recently announced deploying newer aircraft, such as A350s, on long-haul routes like Delhi to London. The merger allows better network planning and overall operational efficiency for Tata.
Loyalty Programs: Club Vistara will merge with Air India’s Flying Returns program by March 31, 2026. Loyalty points will transfer on a 1:1 basis; co-branded credit cardholders will retain benefits for some time. Non-airline partnerships might face discontinuation, impacting benefits.
Air India’s Transformation: Tata has made improvements to Air India (new planes, upgraded services), but operational inefficiencies remain. Competing with Middle Eastern giants (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar) is a major challenge for Air India, especially on long-haul routes.
International Competitiveness: Air India struggles to compete with Middle Eastern carriers due to limited U.S. connectivity compared to Emirates and others. Middle Eastern airlines offer better connectivity from India, along with attractive stopover programs.
Indigo’s Market Dominance: Indigo dominates India’s domestic market (60% share) and is expanding internationally. Indigo operates on many exclusive routes, offering pricing power.
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On November 11, 2024, Vistara, a beloved airline known for its premium service, officially merges into Air India. While Vistara’s loyal fans question the decision, Tata Group, which owns both airlines, seems committed to consolidating the brands to streamline operations and prevent market cannibalization. Air India, long associated with outdated service and mismanagement, is now undergoing a slow transformation under Tata’s leadership.
By merging Vistara, Tata aims to enhance network planning and optimize their long-haul operations, particularly on competitive routes like Delhi to London. Vistara’s loyalty program, Club
Goa is not ready to lose out on the destination wedding business, especially this close to the upcoming wedding season. The state has rolled back its decision to increase the fees to hold private events, including weddings.
To encourage travelers to Japan to get off the beaten path, delve deeper into the country’s cultural heritage, and venture beyond the popular tourist destinations, Japan Airlines is offering complimentary domestic flights all across the archipelago.
Saudi Arabia has launched its first-ever marketing campaign targeted exclusively at Indian tourists: “Shaandaar (Spectacular) Saudi.”
Update: September 24, 2024, at 8:05 a.m. ET
In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan dive into the top travel stories from India this month. They explore Leela Hotels’ move toward an IPO, South Africa’s new visa reforms, and Oyo’s acquisition of Motel 6. The discussion also covers key trends in Indian aviation and how Indian millennials are driving a surge in travel spending.
$2.8 billion: That was the international spending by Indians in July 2024. It was the highest amount in 10 months and led by growth in travel spending: Data from the latest bulletin from India’s central bank showed that Indians spent $1.7 billion for travel. Last year, Indians spent $1.4 billion.
In a move to expand its international reach, India-based hospitality company Oyo announced the acquisition of Motel 6 and Studio 6, two economy lodging brands, from Blackstone for $525 million. This all-cash deal positions Oyo to significantly boost its presence in the U.S., adding nearly 1,500 properties to its portfolio.
Elivaas, a tech-driven luxury villa and apartment management Indian startup, has secured $5 million in a funding round led by Bengaluru-based 3one4 Capital, with participation from Peak XV’s Surge and other angel investors.
Kneeling up on their seats, a troop of school girls clapped as a popular Bollywood song played out from a phone. Plaited into loops, their matching hair swung to the rhythm of the train as it curled around a wide arc, the back end snaking out of a bamboo forest. I was on board the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the climb up West Bengal’s jungled slopes was alive with music, cheering, and hoots at every turn. From the open doorway I could smell the freshness of pine, its clean scent soon overpowered by skinny eucalyptus towering overhead. Leaning into the wind, I heard another favorite filmy number start up and ducked back inside to join in with the singalong.
Schloss Bangalore, the luxury hospitality group behind India’s The Leela Palaces, has filed for a massive $599 million (INR 50 billion) IPO, the largest ever in India’s hotel industry. The company seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for high-end accommodations in India while also paying down debt.
Sep 19, 2024 • 9 min read
More Indian passengers are opting for direct international flights, according to aviation consultancy firm OAG. The firm compared data from 2019 with 2023, and found that even though India’s international air traffic last year was 600,000 lesser than 2019, the number of passengers flying directly to their destination increased by 2 million.