Evoke Experiences Unveils Rann Utsav 2024 – The Tent City and Beyond

Evoke Experiences Unveils Rann Utsav 2024 – The Tent City and Beyond

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 5, 2024

Evoke Experiences, a leading name in experiential hospitality, is thrilled to announce the return of Rann Utsav 2024 – The Tent City, set to commence on November 11, 2024, in Kutch, Gujarat. This annual event has firmly placed the Kutch region on the global tourism map, drawing attention with its unique cultural and natural allure. This year’s Rann Utsav will be grander and more immersive than ever, with over 400 luxury tents and an estimated 50,000 guests expected to attend throughout the festival.

For the first time, Evoke Experiences will oversee not only the operation of The Tent City but also market, branding, and entertainment services, marking the beginning of a significant seven-year partnership that extends through 2031. Bhavik Sheth, COO of Evoke Experiences, shared, “Rann Utsav 2024 represents a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. We are honored to not only host The Tent City but also manage the market and entertainment services. With our commitment to sustainability and community development, we look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the progress of Dhordo and the Kutch region.”

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Dhordo Village: A Globally Recognized Cultural Gem

Held annually in Dhordo, a picturesque village in the Great Rann of Kutch, Rann Utsav has evolved into a globally celebrated cultural festival. Recently, Dhordo earned the prestigious title of “Best Tourism Village” from the United Nations, making it the only village in India to receive this distinction. Visitors to Rann Utsav can experience Kutch’s rich heritage through traditional arts, crafts, music, and local delicacies, offering an authentic glimpse into the cultural richness of Gujarat.

A Commitment to Sustainability

This year, Rann Utsav emphasizes sustainability more than ever. Evoke Experiences is dedicated to minimizing the festival’s environmental impact with eco-friendly waste management practices, such as sewage treatment plants (STPs), battery-operated vehicles for on-site transportation, and a reduction in plastic use by replacing plastic water bottles with sustainable alternatives. Additionally, Evoke Experiences’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, inspired by its successful Dholavira cleaning drive, will focus on conservation efforts in the Great Rann of Kutch, ensuring the festival’s celebration of culture aligns with preserving the region’s natural beauty.

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Supporting the Local Community

Rann Utsav’s positive impact on the Kutch region extends beyond tourism, providing significant economic benefits for the local community. The influx of visitors during the festival greatly supports the local economy, creating opportunities for artisans, performers, and small businesses.

Invitation to an Unforgettable Experience

Evoke Experiences invites travelers from around the globe to partake in Rann Utsav 2024, where culture, sustainability, and luxury combine to create an unparalleled experience. The festival promises unique memories against the breathtaking backdrop of the White Rann, fostering a deep appreciation for Kutch’s cultural and natural heritage.

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About Evoke Experiences

As the hospitality flagship of the historic Lallooji & Sons, Evoke Experiences has pioneered luxury tented hospitality with marquee projects such as Rann Utsav – The Tent City, Statue of Unity Tent City-1, and Gandhisagar Forest Retreat. Evoke Experiences crafts immersive luxury stays across diverse landscapes, from spiritual retreats to wildlife adventures, with upcoming projects in locations like Sasan Gir, Shivrajpur, and Dwarka in Gujarat, as well as Puri, Jagannath in Odisha, and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Evoke Experiences is dedicated to delivering unforgettable journeys that balance opulence with sustainability, enriching local cultures and environments.


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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