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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on July 6, 2024
Antara River Cruises recently hosted 50 travel agents from the UK aboard the Antara Ganges Voyager II for a three-night, four-day cruise from June 8-11, 2024. This meticulously planned journey aimed to highlight the pleasures of cruising on the Ganges River and exploring the towns along its banks. The event was a great success, with guests thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Raj Singh, Promoter and Managing Director of Antara Cruises, greeted the guests with traditional garlands and tikas. He expressed his delight in introducing the agents to the Indian waterways, especially the sacred Ganges River, which flows over 1,500 miles from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Singh noted the historical significance of the river, mentioning that the Buddha preached his first sermon on its banks in Sarnath in 528 BCE, and the British established their first capital in Kolkata along these waters.
Cruise Highlights:
Day 1: The cruise began with a scenic sail along the Ganges, offering views of Kolkata’s iconic landmarks such as the High Court, Belur Math, Howrah train station, and various bathing and ferry ghats.
Day 2: Guests explored Kalna, riding electric rickshaws to the Rajbari Temple Complex, which houses the region’s highest concentration of temples, including the Nabakailas Temple with 108 sloped-roof shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. They also visited a local market selling seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Later, the cruise continued downstream to Chandernagore, a former French colony established in 1673. Here, guests walked along the promenade, visiting colonial-era buildings such as the former French governor’s residence, now a museum, and the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French architect Jacques Duchatz and inaugurated in 1884.
Day 3: Returning to Kolkata, the guests embarked on a city tour starting with the bustling Flower Market near the Howrah Bridge. They visited Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata known for its clay idol manufacturing for various festivals and exports.
The tour concluded with a panoramic exploration of Kolkata’s British colonial architecture, including the Writer’s Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House), Town Hall, Council House, Treasury Building, Reserve Bank of India, and Dalhousie Square. Highlights also included St. John’s Church, Kolkata’s oldest Anglican church built in 1756, and the grand Victoria Memorial for a photo opportunity.
About Antara River Cruises:
Founded in 2003 by travel industry pioneer and naturalist Raj Singh, Antara River Cruises has grown to include a fleet of nine ships that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers. The company offers luxurious accommodations and vibrant experiences along the Ganga, Padma, and Brahmaputra River systems. In 2024, Antara expanded its operations to include the four rivers of Bhitarkanika National Park, showcasing indigenous environments and cultures with renowned hospitality and meticulously designed ships.
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By Hariharan U
Published on October 4, 2025
Sri Lanka Tourism is intensifying its efforts to attract Indian travellers with a three-city roadshow series across Southern India. Scheduled for Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai on October 6, 8, and 10, 2025 respectively, the initiative will highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen ties with the Indian travel industry.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the roadshows will feature B2B sessions and networking evenings designed to showcase Sri Lanka as a year-round destination for all types of travellers. The events will introduce Indian travel agents and industry professionals to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, its vibrant attractions, and growing opportunities for leisure and MICE travel.
“This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its position as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, offering a blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and world-class hospitality,” said the delegation led by Mr. Vijitha Herath, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism.
The delegation includes over 40 stakeholders from across Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, including destination management companies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and service providers. Each city’s event will host over 200 participants, comprising Indian travel agents, industry leaders, and media representatives.
Adding a vibrant touch to the experience, a Sri Lankan cultural dance troupe will perform at each venue, offering guests a glimpse into the island’s rich heritage and traditions.
About SLTPB & SLCB
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is the government agency responsible for marketing and promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Working closely with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, SLCB, and other stakeholders, SLTPB aims to position Sri Lanka as South Asia’s leading tourist destination.
The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau focuses on promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel to Sri Lanka. With world-class venues and improved accessibility, SLCB facilitates event planning for international corporations, associations, and incentive houses. India remains a key market for the bureau’s promotional activities.
Both organisations operate under the Ministry of Foreign Employment, Foreign Affairs & Tourism of Sri Lanka, combining efforts to promote the country’s leisure and business tourism offerings.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 3, 2025
Centrum Air, represented in India by Aeroprime Group as its exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA), will commence direct flights between Delhi and Tashkent starting October 3, 2025. The twice-weekly service, operating on Tuesdays and Fridays, is designed to enhance air connectivity, tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between India and Uzbekistan.
The official launch event, hosted by Aeroprime Group, was attended by His Excellency Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, along with senior dignitaries, embassy officials, media representatives, and trade partners.
Adil Mirza Khalmirzaev, GSA Department Head and Business Development Director at Centrum Air, stated that the airline is responding to growing demand for direct India–Uzbekistan connectivity. Plans are underway to expand routes from Hyderabad and Bengaluru to Tashkent by summer 2026, while Mumbai expansion will be considered based on market demand.
Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director, Aeroprime Group, highlighted that the Delhi–Tashkent route is part of a broader plan to expand Centrum Air’s presence in India, opening pathways for travelers to Central Asia and Europe.
Uzbekistan, known for its Silk Road heritage, cultural landmarks, and hospitality, is expected to benefit from improved accessibility. The new service aims to support both leisure travel and trade, strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
Centrum Air’s launch reflects growing opportunities in air connectivity and provides Indian travelers with affordable fares, convenient schedules, and a comfortable travel experience on the Delhi–Tashkent corridor.
Akasa Air has announced significant enhancements to its ‘Pets on Akasa’ service, offering greater flexibility and convenience for passengers travelling with pets. Starting immediately, the airline will allow two pets in the cabin per flight, up from the earlier limit of one, and has reduced the booking window to 24 hours before departure.
Since its launch in November 2022, over 8,500 pets have travelled with Akasa Air across its domestic network, highlighting the rising demand for pet-friendly air travel in India. Customer feedback has shaped several service upgrades, including extending pet travel certificate validity to 15 days and increasing the maximum cabin weight (pet plus carrier) to 10 kg.
Passengers with pets enjoy additional benefits, such as pre-booked window seats, priority check-in, baggage delivery, and first boarding options. Akasa Air staff across call centres, airport counters, and in-flight teams have undergone specialised training to ensure the safety and comfort of pets and owners.
The airline has also partnered with Umeed for Animals Foundation, a Gurgaon-based non-profit, to follow best practices in animal care and safety. Pets on Akasa is now available on flights to 24 domestic cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Lucknow, and Goa. Bookings can be made via the Akasa Air Care Centre or by contacting pets@akasaair.com.
Akasa Air operates a modern fleet featuring USB ports, spacious seating, and its onboard dining service, Café Akasa, along with accessibility-focused initiatives like Braille menus and safety cards. These enhancements underscore Akasa Air’s commitment to inclusive travel and its growing role in shaping pet-friendly air journeys across India.
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