Empowering Women in Tourism: A Story of Change at Omkareshwar

Empowering Women in Tourism: A Story of Change at Omkareshwar

By Author

Published on September 8, 2023

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, a remarkable transformation is underway as local women are taking charge of the tourism industry. Omkareshwar, a picturesque tourist destination located around 80 kilometers from Indore, is witnessing a shift where women are becoming boat operators and storytellers, sharing the rich history of their state with travel enthusiasts.

This change is part of the 'Safe Tourism Destination for Women' program initiated by the state tourism board. Over a dozen women from nearby villages are currently undergoing training to become skilled boat operators. In the next two months, the first batch of trained boat operators is expected to take on their new roles, providing tourists with memorable experiences on the water.

But the initiative doesn't stop at boat operators. The program encompasses various aspects of the tourism industry, including hospitality, self-defense, photography, and more. Its aim is to make tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh more women-friendly and inclusive.

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, the Principal Secretary of MP Tourism, expressed their commitment to creating safe and welcoming destinations. “We are committed to make our destinations safe and tourist friendly. Special emphasis is on to make it more inclusive and sustainable. We are implementing an ambitious project of training 10,000 women in hospitality related job roles and enhance their direct participation in tourism industry. We are also training 40,000 women in and around 50 destinations on skills of self defence to make our destinations safe for women travellers.” 

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has established 20 clusters across 50 tourist spots in the state to provide training in various sectors, enabling more women to participate actively in tourism.

The initiative also aligns with the 'Sankalp: Safe Tourism Campaign,' which focuses on creating employment opportunities for women in the tourism sector while promoting sustainability. This project has received approval from the Central Ministry of Women and Child Development Department under the 'Nirbhaya Scheme' and operates in collaboration with UN Women, Women and Child Development, Urban Development and Housing Department, and the Police Department.

This transformative journey empowers women to become boat operators and storytellers, making Madhya Pradesh's tourist destinations more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.


OTM 2025: Shaping the Future of Travel and Tourism

OTM 2025: Shaping the Future of Travel and Tourism

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 18, 2025

OTM 2025, the premier travel trade show in India and Asia, is set to take place from January 30 to February 1, 2025, at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre. With over 2,100 exhibitors, 40,000 buyers, and participation from 80+ countries, OTM promises to be a transformative event for the global travel and tourism industry.

This year’s edition will bring together a diverse mix of national tourism organizations, airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and travel tech innovators. Global VIPs, including Hon'ble Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Shri Omar Abdullah, and international leaders like H.E. Mr. Haim Katz (Minister of Tourism, Israel) and Mr. Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Malaysia), will grace the event.

Key Highlights of OTM 2025:

  • Exclusive Destinations: Countries such as Georgia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Morocco, and Peru will exclusively participate in OTM, showcasing offerings not seen at other regional travel events.
  • Networking Opportunities: Over 1,000 handpicked buyers from India’s Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities will connect with exhibitors and global destinations.
  • Thought Leadership: The OTM Forum will host discussions on key industry trends, including fireside chats with government officials and sessions featuring leaders from Airbnb, Skyscanner, Booking.com, and major corporations like Deloitte and L&T.
  • Specialized Events: Day 2 will highlight WeddingSutra Engage, a platform for wedding planners to explore trends in luxury celebrations and destination weddings.

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Expressing his enthusiasm, Mr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Fairfest Media, shared, “India is emerging as the future growth engine for global tourism. OTM 2025 will bring unmatched opportunities for the Indian travel industry to connect with international destinations and foster collaborations.”

OTM’s strategic location in Mumbai, which contributes to over 60% of India’s outbound travel, makes it the perfect venue for this event. The city’s role as a departure point for travelers underlines its importance in shaping the future of tourism.

About OTM and Fairfest Media:

OTM Mumbai is Asia’s leading travel trade show, creating unparalleled opportunities for the Indian travel industry to engage with global markets. Organized by Fairfest Media, the event attracts Tourism Ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders from around the world. With a legacy of organizing TTF-branded travel shows in seven Indian cities, Fairfest Media continues to be a pioneer in shaping the travel ecosystem in the world’s fastest-growing market.

If you are in the travel business, mark your calendars—OTM 2025 is the event you cannot afford to miss!


ixigo Introduces ‘Travel Guarantee’ to Ensure Hassle-Free Journeys

ixigo Introduces ‘Travel Guarantee’ to Ensure Hassle-Free Journeys

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 20, 2024

ixigo, India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users, has launched a game-changing feature for train travelers – ‘Travel Guarantee’. Available on the ixigo Trains app, this innovative feature ensures passengers with unconfirmed waitlisted tickets receive a 3X refund of their fare, providing the flexibility to book alternate transport like flights or buses during emergencies.

Eliminating Travel Stress
Train travel during peak seasons often results in long waitlists, leaving passengers anxious about last-minute arrangements. ixigo’s ‘Travel Guarantee’ steps in to offer financial relief and convenience, enabling travelers to seamlessly rebook their journeys without worrying about skyrocketing fares.

How It Works:

  1. Opt-in During Booking: Travelers can choose the ‘Travel Guarantee’ feature for a nominal fee when booking selected trains and classes via the ixigo Trains app.

  2. Refund Process: If tickets remain waitlisted at the time of chart preparation:

    • 1X refund of the fare is credited back to the original payment mode.

    • 2X refund is issued as a Travel Guarantee Coupon, redeemable on flight, train, or bus bookings via ixigo.

CEO Speaks
Sharing insights on the rollout, Dinesh Kumar Kotha, CEO of ixigo Trains, said:

“At ixigo, we strive to make travel seamless and stress-free. Train waitlists, especially during festive seasons, can be frustrating for travelers. Our ‘Travel Guarantee’ feature provides a safety net by offering up to 3X refunds on unconfirmed tickets, empowering users to rebook their journey without worrying about last-minute fare hikes. We’re committed to making train travel more reliable, convenient, and worry-free for everyone.”

Revolutionizing Train Travel
ixigo continues to enhance its position as a customer-first platform with features like free cancellations, food on trains, instant refunds, and now, ‘Travel Guarantee’. The app remains a trusted companion for millions of users, delivering convenience and innovation for seamless travel experiences.

About ixigo
Founded in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited) is India’s premier travel platform, offering AI-driven solutions to book trains, flights, buses, and more. With over 48 crore Annual Active Users in Fiscal 2024, ixigo empowers travelers with smarter decisions and unmatched convenience.

For more information, visit www.ixigo.com.


AIR INDIA EXPRESS announces ‘PAYDAY SALE’ with fares starting at Just ₹1199

AIR INDIA EXPRESS announces ‘PAYDAY SALE’ with fares starting at Just ₹1199

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 3, 2024

Air India has launched its payday sale with amazing deals starting @ just 1199 and exclusive zero baggage xpress lite fares starting @ just 1049. The sale is open for bookings on domestic flights until 2nd December 2024, for travel between 7th January and 31st March 2025.

Air India Express offers exclusive perks for loyalty members, including discounts on Biz seats, boasting a 58-inch seat pitch. Benefits include 25% off 'Gourmair' hot meals, seat selection, and Xpress Ahead priority services for higher-tier members. Biz seats are available on 35 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with weekly fleet expansions.

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Air India Express continues to provide special discounted fares and exclusive benefits tailored for various passenger groups. These include students, senior citizens, healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses, as well as members of the armed forces and their dependents. By offering these perks through its website, the airline ensures that a diverse range of travelers can enjoy affordable and value-packed journeys, catering to their unique needs and preferences.

The hottest deals are here for you, Grab yours before the sale ends!

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