Page 11 - Express Travel World

IN THE NEWS

Air India starting Delhi - Tel Aviv

flights from March

ETW Online arrive in Tel Aviv at 21.45 hours Netanyahu to India giving This marks a whopping growth ing previous records, and we
Mumbai (local time). Whereas, AI-140 impetus to this decision. This is of 48 per cent in the last two were positive to close the year
will depart from Tel Aviv at a welcome initiative to further years, per the statistics re- with 60,000 travellers to Israel
The long pending plan of the 23.15 hours and arrive in Delhi boost trade and tourism ties leased by Israel Ministry of from India. With over 20 million
national carrier, Air India to fly at 10.00 hours. between both the countries. Tourism (IMOT). outbound tourists a year, India
into Tel Aviv has finally been The airline had already Also, when it comes to Speaking about the positive has been an important market
approved. National carrier Air completed plans to commence tourism, for the second consec- growth, Hassan Madah, direc- for us and I am pleased to say
India will be starting its much Delhi - Tel Aviv flights but was utive year, Israel has broken its tor, Israel Ministry of Tourism that we have witnessed con-
anticipated Delhi-Tel Aviv denied by countries from which tourism record of Indian ar- India & Philippines said, “2017 stant growth in the arrivals
flights from March 20 this year. the plan was going to fly over, rivals reaching an all-time high has been outstanding and by far from the Indian market over
The thrice-weekly flight will thus disrupting their plans. of 31 per cent growth from Jan- the best year for Israel tourism the last four years.”
operate on Tuesday, Thursday However this move is said to uary to December, 2017 with in India and worldwide. By Octo- Hopefully, with the Air India
and Sunday. AI-139 will depart come after the recent visit of Is- around 60,000 Indian tourists ber, 2017 we already saw 49,000 flights to Tel Aviv, this number
from Delhi at 18.00 hours and raeli Prime Minister Benjamin visiting the country in 2017. Indians arrive in Israel, break- will grow at an increasing rate.

Club Med takes B2B route to promote resorts in India

Sudipta Dev
Mumbai

A pioneer in the all-inclusive
concept, Club Med has just
completed 67 years of opera-
tion. In India Club Med has
been marketing aggressively
since 2014, and the numbers
have been growing. "We have
seen a tremendous growth in
terms of Indian customers. In
India, educating the customer
comes first. Being a traditional
travel agency driven market
we have to educate the travel
agent about the product and
its USP, so that they can push
this product to the customers.
There is a great scope,” said
Manoj K Upadhyay, business
development manager – India,
Club Med. For Indian market
the popularity of Club Med
ranges from ski resorts to
beach resorts. “We have
resorts in South East Asia product,” added Upadhyay. cluding food, drinks, alcohol India to Bintan is increasing they are perfect for team
region where more than 60 Bintan Island in Indonesia is and activities. The activities and that is why we feel there is building exercises. There is an
percent of the Indian trav- a short ferry ride from Singa- range from those for kids, sport a great scope for us to put Bin- in-house team to create an
ellers go. We also have resorts pore. Youssef Tobrouki, GM / water activities.” Since last tan as an add on destination to event for them. Bintan Resort
in Japan, China and Europe. (Chef de Village), Club Med two years with more Indians Singapore. Club Med is target- International, which is the
Product wise we have every- Bintan Island, who was in India coming now there is an Indian ing the Indian market for two promotional board for Bintan
thing to offer to the Indian recently stated, “When you chef at the 304 keys resort. resorts, for the MICE segment is also focusing on
consumer. Our route is B2B, come to Club Med it is not Bintan is a golfer's paradise - Bintan and Cherating,” men- promoting the destination in
doing roadshows, talking to everything about bed and and offers many activities as a tioned Upadhyay, adding that the Indian market as a MICE
travel agents, telling about the breakfast, it is all inclusive, in- destination. “Numbers from as the resorts are spacious destination.

EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD 11
February 2018