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By Nishang Narayan
Published on November 2, 2024
Johannesburg, South Africa, has unveiled the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to attract more tourists from India and China. This innovative initiative, launched by the Department of Home Affairs, is set to resolve visa inefficiencies and create new job opportunities within the tourism sector.
The TTOS will allow approved tour operators to navigate reduced red tape and enjoy expedited visa processing, significantly easing the path for tourists from these two major markets. With a goal to welcome the first tourists under this scheme by January 2025, the South African government aims to capitalize on the immense potential of the Indian and Chinese travel markets.
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, who conceptualized the scheme, emphasized the importance of eliminating barriers that have hindered South Africa's tourism growth. Statistics highlight that while Chinese tourists made over 100 million outbound trips in 2023, South Africa received only 93,000 of them—compared to over 1.4 million visitors to Australia during the same period. Indian tourists account for just 3.9% of international visitors to South Africa, and Chinese tourists make up only 1.8%.
Research suggests that increasing tourism by just 10% annually could boost South Africa's economic growth by 0.6%, generating thousands of new jobs. The TTOS aims to streamline group visa applications, addressing long-standing concerns regarding delays and inefficiencies faced by Indian tour operators. Approved operators will handle visa applications for large tour groups, which should improve turnaround times significantly.
To ensure a smooth application process, TTOS will be managed by a dedicated team of adjudicators responsible for swiftly processing applications. Operators will be held accountable for any legal infractions committed by tourists under their care, reinforcing a commitment to responsible tourism.
The qualification criteria for the TTOS were developed through consultations with industry stakeholders, ensuring transparency and fairness in the adjudication process. A points-based system will assess applicants based on legal compliance, operational experience, capacity, and collaboration across borders. A minimum of 12 months’ operational experience will be required for consideration.
The call for expressions of interest from established tour operators will remain open for 30 days, after which applications will be evaluated in collaboration with other departments. The Home Affairs Department anticipates additional intakes in the future based on the initial rollout’s success and internal capacity.
By enhancing the visa process and creating a framework for greater collaboration between local and international tour operators, South Africa hopes to harness the full potential of the Indian and Chinese tourism markets, driving economic growth and job creation in the hospitality sector.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 19, 2026
FLY91 has announced an additional weekday daily flight between Pune and Goa for May 2026 to meet increased passenger demand during the summer holiday season. The temporary addition comes as travel activity continues to rise due to vacations, family trips and seasonal travel movement.
The airline already operates daily weekday services on the Pune-Goa route, while weekend operations currently run twice daily. The newly introduced weekday frequency is expected to provide travellers with more options and greater convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
According to the airline, the decision was taken in response to increased movement from holidaymakers, students, families and business travellers. The Pune-Goa route has witnessed steady demand throughout the summer season, making it an important sector within the airline’s growing network.
By adding another service, FLY91 aims to improve schedule flexibility while increasing seat availability between the two destinations. The move is also expected to ease travel during the peak vacation period and support smoother passenger movement.
Pune continues to remain one of western India’s key educational and commercial centres, while Goa attracts a significant number of domestic travellers during the summer months. The additional service is expected to further strengthen connectivity between the two cities and support increasing regional travel demand.
FLY91 said the new flight also aligns with its broader objective of strengthening dependable and safe regional connectivity across underserved and high-demand sectors in India.
The airline currently operates flights across 12 destinations including Goa (GOX), Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Kochi, Agatti, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Hubballi.
Published on May 17, 2026
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a special religious journey to Nepal under its Bharat Gaurav scheme, giving travellers and pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions an opportunity to explore important spiritual and tourist destinations in the neighbouring country.
The special 'Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra' will begin from Indore on June 12 aboard a Deluxe AC tourist train. According to IRCTC, this is the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train service designed for passengers travelling beyond India’s borders, making it a significant addition to its tourism offerings.
The journey will run for nine nights and 10 days, covering some of Nepal’s well-known religious and tourist attractions. The itinerary includes visits to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Manakamana Temple. As part of the experience, travellers will also get access to a ropeway ride at Manakamana Temple and a Jeep Safari at Chitwan, arranged by IRCTC.
Passengers can board the train from multiple stations across Madhya Pradesh including Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna.
Rahul Holkar, Executive Tourism (Indore), said: "Dining facilities will be available for passengers onboard, with two restaurant coaches arranged for this purpose."
He also shared that the train will have 14 coaches and offer three accommodation categories: First AC, Second AC, and Third AC. The package further includes five-night accommodation in three-star hotels, along with local sightseeing through AC buses.
IRCTC has introduced different fare structures based on the selected category. The package covers rail travel, hotel stays, meals onboard and during the journey, local transportation, sightseeing, travel insurance, tour escorts, security arrangements and housekeeping services.
Officials also clarified that the Nepal Darshan Yatra is a guided tourist journey and should be viewed as a specially curated travel experience rather than a regular international tour package. Bookings for the Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra can be made through IRCTC’s official website and authorised offices.
Published on May 16, 2026
Air India has commenced commercial operations to Ludhiana’s newly operational Halwara airport, becoming the first airline to launch services at the airport. The new route strengthens connectivity between Ludhiana and Delhi while also opening access to Air India’s wider international network.
The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs, while the return service departed from Ludhiana at 0800 Hrs. Air India will now operate two daily flights on the Delhi–Ludhiana route using its A320 family aircraft.
The newly launched services have been scheduled to provide passengers with smoother onward connections through Delhi to Air India’s international destinations. Travellers flying from Ludhiana can conveniently connect to cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham through a single ticket and a unified baggage allowance system with through check-in facilities.
Passengers will also benefit from same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport, allowing easier movement between domestic and international flights.
The flight schedule for the Delhi–Ludhiana route includes:
With the launch of operations at Halwara airport, Air India continues to expand its domestic network while strengthening connectivity between regional cities and international destinations.
Bookings for Air India’s Ludhiana flights are now open across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, and travel partners worldwide.
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