“With the right technical expertise, materials and the support of an international consultant, this project will ensure that lorloz (clock tower in Creole) continues to stand as a proud symbol of the town’s history and legacy,” said Cecile Kalebi, Permanent Secretary for Culture, SNICHA.

“The clock is in very good condition for its age. It is 121 years old and has not had a full refurbishment. So planning is key to minimise the disruption on the actual process,” said Coombes-Winyard, an expert from Gillett and Johnston.

“The implementation of this project is one with great urgency to prevent further deterioration and to maintain its historical and cultural significance,” said Benjamine Rose, Executive Director, the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council (SNHRC).

Kalebi revealed that the institute will document the whole restoration process throughout the stages and this would be featured in an exhibition to coincide with the unveiling of the renovated clock tower.

“We are excited to celebrate Indian culture and create unforgettable experiences for our patrons. Collaborating with Indian marketing experts will help us build stronger connections with the Indian community and visitors in Singapore and Malaysia,” said Anil Goswami, founder, Rocking Rickshaw.

Rocking Rickshaw has continued to thrive under the guidance of Goswami, who also owns Al Capone’s, Singapore’s second-largest bar chain. Since the launch of its first outlet in 2019, Rocking Rickshaw has gained popularity for offering delicious Indian cuisine at affordable prices.

Kyp Charalambous, Vice President, Sales – Atlantis Dubai said, “We are delighted to appoint Rutuja Patil to Atlantis Dubai as Account Director – India and South Africa. Rutuja has been an incredible part of our team since 2022, serving as a Sales Manager – Leisure and driving success in the UK and Scandinavia. In her new role, she’ll be steering high-end leisure sales for both Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis, The Palm, taking our luxury business in India and beyond to new heights. With over a decade of global expertise, Rutuja is known for her impactful commercial strategies and outstanding leadership. We’re excited to see her continue to shine and make a significant impact in her new position.”

Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois said, “We’re excited to be working with Sartha Global Marketing on sharing all the ways you can Feed Your Soul in Louisiana. India is a wonderful country, home to people who love to experience culture, food, the outdoors, and more. Louisiana is the perfect destination to find those authentic experiences.”

Sheema Vohra, Managing Director of Sartha Global Marketing LLP, added, “We are indeed elated to take this opportunity to promote the Louisiana Office of Tourism in India. With its deep history, rich culture, and vibrant celebrations, Louisiana is an unusual destination that would simply conquer the hearts of all travellers seeking a deeper, richer cultural experience. Bayou State, an addition to all itineraries on the East Coast and the South, offers many attractions and experiences for Indian visitors to soak in.”

The exact amount for each scheme is yet to be declared however, there is a huge emphasis for Skill Development Mission which has received additional funding to expand its reach and effectiveness.

This includes setting up new training centres and upgrading existing ones with modern equipment and technologies.

To prepare the workforce for the future, the budget allocates substantial resources for training in Future Skills job roles.

A major thrust is on youth empowerment through skill development. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has been revamped with new courses aligned with industry requirements. Additionally, internship and apprenticeship opportunities will be increased to provide hands-on experience. Special funds will be allocated for this.

For the existing workforce, the budget proposes various upskilling and reskilling initiatives. These programs aim to ensure that workers can adapt to new roles and technologies, thereby increasing their employability and productivity.

Expansion of training centres, enhancement of curriculum, and introduction of new courses in cutting-edge technologies.

Collaboration with state governments and private sector partners to establish new centres in underserved regions.

PMKVY – Budgeted Allocation close to ₹12,000 crore for Revamping and scale up the scheme to include new age courses and increase the number of beneficiaries. More focus on industry-aligned training programs and an increase in the number of internships and apprenticeships with 500 top Indian companies.

The budget will help build a dedicated workforce for all Industry and specially the Tourism & Hospitality sector which has bounced back aggressively post Covid-19 Pandemic. Infrastructure development will lead to increase in domestic tourism which will further ask for skilled workers. This budget presents a unique opportunity to align the schemes directly with Industry & Private sector and take it to the last mile stone. I congratulate the government & Honourable Finance Minister for looking at the Youth, Skill Gaps & unemployment.

The United Kingdom ranked fourth with New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland. Fifth were Australia and Portugal, while the United States slipped to eighth place with visa-free access to only 186 countries.
India’s passport, which ranked 82nd, offers visa-free travel to 58 countries, including such holiday spots as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Next-door neighbour Pakistan ranked 100th, with access to 33 countries. And last on the list was Afghanistan, with easy access to only 26 destinations.

As Christian Kaelin, the chairman of Henley and Partners, remarks, “The global average number of destinations that a travel document holder can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 today in 2024. At the same time, however, the global mobility gap between the top-ranked and bottom-ranked nations in the index is now wider than it has ever been.”

In very few cases of check-in denial, TripJack has initiated a speedy problem-solving solution. Here, the travel agents amicably solve the matter at hand, therefore saving the traveller from the hassle of it all. Additionally, TripJack provides compensation to travellers in case of such a disruption due to check-in denial, to hence assure them of rigorous customer service.

Abdul Thingna, Vice President of Hotels and Holidays at TripJack, commented on the program’s success, “Our primary goal is to ensure every traveller has a seamless experience. We do work diligently and in close cooperation with our hotels and suppliers to ensure that you receive exceptional service. Our Check-In Guarantee program is just that—our commitment.”

The Check-In Guarantee Program from TripJack epitomises their ingenuity in making the process of travel booking better for agents and, in turn, their clients. Focusing on reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, TripJack just continues to raise the bar on travel.

From beautiful beaches to majestic Mount Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu, rich cultural heritage in Kuching, delicious food and historic places in Penang, a tropical paradise in Langkawi, and Miri, being the entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gunung Mulu National Park, it showcases the real beauty of Malaysia. For those eying international escapades, here’s the chance to visit vibrant Hong Kong, dynamic Seoul, bustling metropolis Tokyo, cosmopolitan Singapore, and fun capital of Thailand-Bangkok, each having its shares of equally exciting offers.
Now travel more conveniently as travellers from Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, and Amritsar enjoy seamless connectivity. Experience the renowned Malaysian Hospitality.

Economy Class passengers can also enjoy some great deals, such as a 10% discount off all ancillary bundles, including the value bundles, premium bundles, and the MH Traveller’s Trio bundle that includes the standard seat, an additional 10 kg baggage allowance, and access to the KLIA Golden Lounge. From domestic treasures to international hubs, travellers can now choose a million destinations in the Malaysia Airlines global network and be treated to comfort and convenience with Malaysian Hospitality.

Pradeep Saboo, co-founder of MTF Events and Organiser Melange, says the event was conceptualised to attract serious buyers rather than casual visitors. This event will permit the counter staff of the agencies to visit in the mornings up to 1 pm to enable them to get firsthand experience about the functioning of the industry.

The event would commence from 11 am to 7 pm, with the final entry at 4 pm. There will be informal industry networking sessions after 7 pm. Unlike most exhibitions, Melange aims to make the package inclusive of meals as well.

Saboo also emphasised, that the environment will be purely focused and professional, only allowing pre-approved exhibitors and retail service buyers inside the halls. Regardless of the segment under which one falls, non-registered individuals shall not be permitted inside.

WOTF Group is a globally leading tourism and travel management company renowned for its innovation and integrated marketing for a destination. Targeted marketing campaigns, trade partnerships, sales missions, and interactions with travel agents from across India will complement focused strategic initiatives that this partnership will bring on for the increase in number of visitors to Greece.
In this regard, Nikolas Kavalieros, managing partner at WOTF Group, said the following: “India is a critical market to us and we believe Global Destinations, with their track record and relationships within the industry, is a perfect partner to help us achieve our objectives.”

Together, they are committed to bringing forth Greece’s wonders to the Indian traveller, from the well-recognized and iconic landscapes of the Athenian Acropolis to beaches and picturesque villages. Greece’s hidden gems are also to be thrust into limelight to craft a value proposition for holistic travel experiences for varied interests and preferences.