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Compared to FY2021/22, which had an operating deficit of $610 million, the group operating profit was a record $2,692 million. A record $2,601 million in operating profit for SIA, up $2,713 million from the prior fiscal year. The passenger capacity of the Singapore carriers (SIA) Group exceeded the 58% level for international scheduled services of Asia-Pacific carriers in March 2023, rising to 79% of pre-Covid levels. 26.5 million passengers were carried by SIA and Scoot together, an increase of six times over the previous year. The highest ever recorded for the Group, the passenger load factor (PLF) increased by 55.3 percentage points to 85.4%. Scoot recorded a PLF of 83.9%, while SIA attained a record PLF of 85.8%. For the fiscal year FY2022/23, the group’s revenue climbed by $10,160 million (+133.4%) from year to year to a record $17,775 million. Revenue from passengers flown increased from $13,366 million to $10,560 million (+376.3%) as traffic increased by 449.9%, exceeding the capacity growth of 94.0%. Compared to FY2021/22, which had an operating deficit of $610 million, the group operating profit was a record $2,692 million. A record $2,601 million in operating profit for SIA, up $2,713 million from the prior fiscal year. A record operating profit of $148 million was made by Scoot, an increase of $602 million over FY2021/22. The Group reported a record net profit for the year of $2,157 million, up from a net loss of $962 million the year before (+$3,119 million). Better operating performance (+$3,302 million) and reduced net financing charges (+$338 million) were the key contributors to this, which was only somewhat offset by a tax expenditure as opposed to a tax credit last year (-$615 million). “The SIA Group’s record financial success for FY2022/23 is a credit to its proactive strategic efforts, preemptive planning done while borders were still closed, and the hard work, devotion, and sacrifices of its people. Takis Dimitriou, Head of Asian Aviation, GSA of Singapore Airlines, and Scoot for Greece and Cyprus, mentions the SIA Group’s strong financial position, commitment to providing customers with best-in-class products and services, as well as its improved agility and resilience emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, will allow it to retain its leadership position in the industry. The airline sector may face difficulties in the next months as a result of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, excessive cost inflation, and other factors. Even though fuel costs have dropped recently, they are still very high. The Group will actively watch events and respond swiftly and nimbly in light of the anticipated increase in competition on international routes. Several strategic initiatives were implemented to get ready for the future, including the continuation of network expansion through closer cooperation with like-minded airlines, the proposed merger of Air India and Vistara to strengthen SIA’s presence in the rapidly expanding Indian aviation market, and Scoot’s decision to lease nine Embraer E190-E2 aircraft and broaden its footprint to secondary points in the region. Additionally, despite the epidemic, the Group stuck to its long-standing plan of acquiring and flying newer models of aircraft. This makes it possible to increase operational effectiveness and assist continuing initiatives to significantly reduce carbon emissions. To enhance its premium image, the Group kept making investments in goods and services that are leaders in their fields. This included an order for the brand-new Airbus A350F freighters as well as the retrofitting of its Airbus A380 and Boeing 737-8 aircraft. It also included a redesign of its flagship lounges at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3. Source: traveldailynews

Eight out of ten female passengers, who make up 64% of all travellers worldwide, believe that their firms do not prioritise their safety enough. The first five-star resort in the Maldives and only the second in the whole region to obtain this coveted designation is Cora Cora Maldives, which announces that they have been given the SHe Travel Club Label. The opulent island has gained recognition as a resort that is safe for women to visit, especially lone travellers, ladies travelling with companions, and families after receiving the Gold Status. Cora Cora Maldives has been recognised as a safe and welcoming environment for women to enjoy their stay, one of less than 200 hotels to gain this certification. The SHe Travel Club encourages classifying hotels according to the requirements and expectations of women and makes sure that each establishment is examined for safety, services, comfort, and meals. Eight out of ten female passengers, who make up 64% of all travellers worldwide, believe that their firms do not prioritise their safety enough. Women are empowered by travel in a variety of ways, such as via increased personal satisfaction, acceptance of financial independence, and pushing the boundaries of experience. The idea of empowering women via the hospitality industry is not new to Cora Cora Maldives, which is continually searching for fresh approaches to encourage women and young girls throughout the island. A remarkable accomplishment for a historically male-dominated business, Ginger Moon is the only resort in the Maldives to have an all-female airport team and an all-female culinary team. Additionally, 50% of the workforce in executive positions are held by women. “At Cora Cora Maldives, we place a high premium on providing a secure and welcoming atmosphere for both our visitors and employees, especially for female tourists travelling alone. Anna Karaseva, Sales & Marketing Manager, exults, “We could not be prouder that our devotion to improve the travel experience for women has been highlighted in this historic fashion and we look forward to continuing to ensuring our guests feel secure and comfortable during their visit. The SHe Travel Club, which works to advance gender equality in hospitality, conducts studies in a number of nations to learn what women need and expect when they travel in order to get the coveted accreditation. The independent, worldwide SHe hotel labelling organization’s commitment to all women is “SHe, Safe and Happy everywhere.” Their suggestions are based on private studies of 5,000 women in five different nations. The SHe Travel Club seal of certification provides security and guarantee of quality when travelling. Cora Cora Maldives provides its visitors with a singularly immersive cultural, experiential, and gastronomic experience of the Maldives. containing 100 villas, four restaurants, two bars, the Dutch Onion Museum, a water sports and diving facility, a gym, an overwater yoga pavilion, an outdoor movie theatre, and the MOKSHA Spa and Wellbeing facility. From Velana International Airport, Cora Cora Maldives may be reached in 45 minutes by seaplane or in 30 minutes by domestic aircraft, then 20 minutes by speedboat. The ideal peaceful island retreat is Cora Cora Maldives. Source: traveldailynews

Qantas has announced that it would increase from two to four daily flights to Tokyo. Qantas is expanding its global network by adding additional flights, aeroplanes, and locations. Along with this, travel is quite popular both domestically and internationally. Starting in October 2023, Qantas will level up its international network, adding almost one million extra seats over the course of a year compared to its existing timetable. Customers will have easier access to well-known locations around Asia, the United States, and the Pacific thanks to this boost in capacity. The additional capacity will be achieved by the restoration to service of more Qantas aircraft, the addition of new aircraft to the fleet, and a deal with oneworld partner Finnair to operate two Airbus A330 aircraft on two Qantas routes. By March 2024, Qantas’ international capacity—which is now at around 84% of pre-COVID level capacity—will have increased to meet pre-COVID levels thanks to the network improvement. Flying to Tokyo will become simpler as a result of this network expansion. According to Qantas, starting on November 26, there will be an option of four daily flights to Japan, doubling the number of weekly flights from Australia to Tokyo from 14 to 28. Melbourne to Tokyo will go from four times per week to daily, Brisbane to Tokyo will go from three times per week to daily, and Sydney will go from daily to twice daily. Additionally, services from Melbourne and Brisbane will relocate to Narita Airport, a major hub airport located 60 kilometres east of the heart of Tokyo. Additionally, Qantas is prepared to restart San Francisco flights the following week and to introduce its first service between Sydney and New York through Auckland the following month. Seasonal services to Rome and flights between Melbourne and Hong Kong will return in June, according to Qantas, as the European summer begins to heat up. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce commented on the developments, saying: “This boost to our network will add hundreds of thousands of seats in time for the busy Australian summer holiday period. The rebound in demand for international travel since borders reopened has been extremely strong.” We can release some of the planes we had in reserve since Qantas has been the most punctual major domestic airline for the past eight months in a row. That shows more of the aviation supply chain getting back to normal, which is a major testament to the dedication of our team members across the Group. Mr. Joyce also made a suggestion that the expanded network would aid in containing fare costs. There is still an imbalance between supply and demand for international travel, despite efforts by airlines throughout the world to increase capacity to meet demand, according to Mr. Joyce. However, as we increase our own flights, we have more seats for our passengers and more opportunities for Qantas crew thanks to more of our aircraft returning to service, new 787s joining our fleet, and our partnership with Finnair. “We know that our customers are looking for great value, and this additional capacity will also put downward pressure on fares.” In addition to Tokyo, Rome, San Francisco, and Hong Kong, Qantas will enhance capacity on a number of other destinations beginning on October 29, 2023. You can view the complete list here, but to give you an idea, daily A330 flights will resume on the Sydney to Shanghai route for the first time in more than three years, and the number of weekly flights on the Sydney to New York (via Auckland) route will increase from three to four. In addition, Qantas will increase its flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, Wellington, Honiara, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Tickets for the expanded flights will begin to go on sale today at qantas.com and through travel brokers. Source: escape

More international flights and itineraries being offered by Q Antas will bring down rates, but the airline is also being accused of hiring foreign employees for infrastructure and positions. A million additional tickets will be available on flights to popular locations over the course of the next 12 months, the airline stated today. Increased frequency will be seen on a number of routes, including Australia to Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Dehli, and New Zealand. At the end of October, the revised flight schedule will go into effect.Additionally, Sydney-Shanghai flights will return after a hiatus of more than three years. “The rebound in demand for international travel since borders reopened has been incredibly strong, and this boost to our network will add hundreds of thousands of seats in time for the busy Australian summer holiday period,” CEO Alan Joyce said. The more flights, he continued, will force airfares lower. After Qantas agreed to lease two Airbus A330s from Finnair to be flown by the airline’s own pilots, the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) accused the company of outsourcing pilot employment to foreign employees. For the first two and a half years, the flights will be operated by Finnair pilots and cabin staff. The Finnar A330s will be flown by Qantas pilots and cabin staff for three years starting in 2025. The plane will be utilised for trips to Shanghai and Hong Kong. We have more seats for our passengers and more opportunities for Qantas crew as we boost our own flights, Joyce added, thanks to more of our aircraft returning to service, new 787s joining our fleet, and our deal with Finnair. Captain Tony Lucas, the president of AIPA, stated that they are “disappointed and frustrated” by Qantas’ choice to lease the foreign aircraft and use its own personnel. He claimed that with better management choices, “Qantas’ decision to wet lease two Finnair aircraft is shocking, bitterly disappointing, and could have been avoided.” The fact that Qantas is outsourcing the Spirit of Australia while also transforming two of our own A330 passenger planes into freighters is incomprehensible. In light of the decision to fire a number of employees during the epidemic, Lucas noted that the outcome is disheartening for Australian pilots. He declared, “This is a sad day for our fantastic airline.” Source: 9news

The band’s travels and songs are a reflection of their love for Thailand, with its plethora of natural resources, pleasant weather all year round, and variety of ecosystems and landscapes that are suitable for all types of travel in any season. Despite speaking various languages, music serves as a universal language that unites people. People from different cultures can get a valuable understanding of one another’s way of life by listening to music from the other culture. The Biggles Big Band’s music, which unites people and their journeys, reflects this reality. The band’s travels and songs are a reflection of their love for Thailand, with its plethora of natural resources, pleasant weather all year round, and variety of ecosystems and landscapes that are suitable for all types of travel in any season. The most notable characteristics of Thailand are its cultural wonders, hospitable people, mouthwatering cuisine, and distinctive way of life. The Dutch rock band has been drawn to Thailand by these elements. The band has often provided musical concerts for cross-cultural exchange in Thailand during the past 14 years. As part of the “BCG Tourism & Happy Model,” which embodies sustainable, carbon-neutral travel, compensation for lower travel-related greenhouse gas emissions, and ties to local community tourism, these ideas are central to their message. According to this model, every segment of Thailand’s tourism business focuses on modernising its tourism operations to better conform to the sustainability principle, in keeping with the growth of the global economy and the possible number of eco-tourists. Experience the ‘BCG tourist & Happy Model’, an original eco-friendly tourist strategy created to reduce harmful effects on the environment and society, which served as the inspiration for Thailand’s new tourism idea. Let’s learn about tourism that appeals to all types of travellers, whether they choose to unwind, sample local cuisine, go on adventures, explore history, or maintain good health. Source: traveldailynews

Australian travel insurance industry to be revolutionised by API-driven modular insurance solution. Melbourne, Australia – Battleface, a supplier of travel insurance, has announced the debut of its tech platform, which enables partners to create personalised solutions. Battleface offers embedded modular insurance for partners and their clients alike. The way that battleface unbundles travel insurance offers flexibility and customization while keeping it pertinent to the marketplaces of distribution partner companies and their clients. The quickly expanding business is recognised for creating travel insurance solutions and has amassed a sizable following in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Canada. Battleface, which has partnerships with Wise & Silent, AWAI, and Mustard Underwriting in Australia, is available in more than 185 countries and uses an API-driven platform that allows partners to seamlessly integrate travel insurance products into their customer journeys. With set pricing and perks, partners may use the battleface platform to create their own products, giving clients total flexibility. Battleface and Awai Travel have teamed to offer pre-trip cancellation insurance as standard with every purchase. Awai Travel is a travel technology firm that specialises in leisure travel. On top of battleface’s API, the insurtech platform Wise & Silent created its own products. Additionally, battleface has teamed with Mustard Underwriting, a company that specialises in offering insurance services to the sharing economy sector. “When travel insurance is unbundled into individual benefits, partners can build their own products on top of APIs with precise benefits driving higher conversion and overall customer satisfaction,” explains Matt McLellan, battleface Managing Director for Australia. We are able to provide clients with access to items based on their real travel demands and itineraries by working with appropriate companies around Australia. Battleface’s standard coverage includes $40,000 per person in trip cancellation insurance, $2.5 million in personal liability insurance, and unlimited medical coverage. Customers will also have access to battleface’s customer support, claims, travel, and emergency medical teams around-the-clock. Source: traveldailynews

Elimination of single-use plastic is the focus of the Green Airports Recognition 2023 campaign. Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific released the findings of the Green Airports Recognition (GAR) Programme 2023, honouring 12 airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East for exemplary achievements in their sustainability programmes. The sector has experienced exponential growth over the last few decades and is predicted to do so in the years to come. An enormous amount of rubbish is anticipated to be produced at airports as air travel expands. One such worry is the rising concern throughout the globe about the effects of single-use plastic pollution, particularly in the aviation sector. Therefore, the elimination of single-use plastic is the focus of the 2023 Green Airports Recognition. According to several airport size categories and predetermined criteria, the best airports are recognised in one of three categories: “Platinum”, “Gold”, or “Silver”. These airports are recognised: Annual passenger volume of above 35 million Platinum: Single Use Plastic Free Airport at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai Accelerating the airport’s decrease of single-use plastics is gold at Hong Kong International Airport. Silver: Single Use Plastic Free Delhi Airport at Indira Gandhi International Airport Between 15 and 35 million travellers annually: Platinum: KIAB’s Plastics Circularity Project at Kempegowda International Airport Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Project: RGI Airport free of single-use plastic) Silver: Jeju International Airport (Project: Adding reusable water bottles to the airport) Between 8 and 15 million travellers annually: Platinum: Central Japan International Airport (Project: Sustainable Use of PET Bottles from Bottle to Bottle) Gold: Adelaide Airport (Project: Precinct with no single-use plastics). Silver: Bahrain International Airport (Project: Reducing the usage of single-use plastics at BIA) Fewer than 8 million travellers annually: Silver: SUP Free Airport at Mangaluru International Airport Airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, receives a gold rating (Project: Waste Strategy to Circular Solutions). Silver: Kaohsiung International Airport (Project: Plastic-Free Life at the Airport) At the 18th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Kobe, Japan, the acknowledged airports received recognition. “Congratulations to all the recognised airports for demonstrating their leadership and commitment in implementing cutting-edge sustainability projects at airports,” stated Mr. Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific. These are crucial actions in our sector’s efforts to safeguard the environment and reduce carbon emissions. We are pleased by the cutting-edge techniques used by airport administrators to reduce the plastic pollution. As we all strive towards the shared goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we hope that these innovative ideas will motivate other airports to put them into practise. Source: traveldailynews

Strategic alliances like Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare help to expand the medical tourism sector in Malaysia. Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur In order to improve its seamless healthcare travel experience, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has increased its worldwide reach by signing two key Memorandums of Understanding with renowned medical tourism and healthcare facilitators, Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare. These partnerships represent a crucial turning point in MHTC’s mission to offer the greatest healthcare travel experience and broaden its service area throughout Oceania. In 2022, the Malaysian healthcare travel sector will generate excellent revenues of RM1.3 billion, which is a whopping 76% more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. MHTC is aggressively looking into strategic alliances with important stakeholders in order to seize this momentum, take advantage of synergies, and further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a top location for top-notch healthcare. These proactive measures will boost the healthcare travel industry to new heights, igniting innovation and providing healthcare travellers with unbeatable value. The collaborations we have with Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare, according to Mr. Farizal bin Jaafar, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, “mark a big step forward for Malaysia Healthcare. We hope to establish synergies that will advance the healthcare travel sector and give our patients experiences that are unmatched by any other by partnering with these well-known medical tourism and healthcare facilitators. Together, we can open up new doors, expand our audiences, and establish new standards for excellence. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) developed the MoUs to broaden Malaysia’s healthcare networks overseas and to provide a smooth experience for healthcare travellers. These strategic alliances seek to advance the sector by showcasing Malaysia’s recognised healthcare excellence and affordability and fostering confidence among patients on the go. A wide range of projects will be carried out through these partnerships, aiding in the development and growth of Malaysia’s healthcare tourism industry. Leading Oceania healthcare facilitator Passage Asia will build relationships with the member hospitals of the MHTC, coordinate engaging events like webinars, health talks, and CME sessions, and lead cooperative marketing initiatives throughout Australia and New Zealand. Passage Asia provides a wide range of services, such as post-treatment assistance, travel and lodging reservations, medical care coordination, and medical tourism advice. Passageasia.com, their one-stop website, offers hassle-free international medical travel, guaranteeing a smooth experience for patients and their families. “We are excited to work with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to improve the medical travel experience for customers visiting Malaysia. By combining our resources and skills, we can provide clients with a wide range of medical services, top-notch facilities, and attentive patient care that meets all of their requirements. According to Ms. Shalizahanim Binti Shukor, Chief Executive Officer of Passage Asia, “This crucial alliance not only reinforces our unwavering commitment to providing outstanding patient care management and medical tourism services, it also solidifies Malaysia’s position as the undisputed destination for high-quality medical and healthcare. Ezy Healthcare, a well-known provider of healthcare solutions with a significant presence in Oceania, Oman, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, will play a significant role in facilitating industry collaboration, networking opportunities, and collaborative marketing initiatives. Through this tactical alliance, Malaysia hopes to increase brand recognition and strengthen its position in the healthcare tourism market. Ezy Healthcare will aid in broadening Malaysia’s influence, encouraging partnerships, and supporting corporate growth by utilising their vast worldwide network and experience. The partnership also provides access to prospective Middle Eastern business prospects. Ezy Healthcare and Malaysia will combine their talents to fully reap the rewards of this alliance and take the medical travel sector to new heights. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Ezy Healthcare are both happy to be working together. To establish Malaysia as a top destination for medical travel, we are starting a wonderful adventure. Our partnership will open up easy access to top-notch healthcare services, guaranteeing that our clients receive the highest level of professionalism and consideration all throughout their medical journey. According to Mr. Nay Phu Tran, Chief Executive Officer of Ezy Healthcare, “We are thrilled to extend our services and meet the healthcare requirements of our clients with unmatched expertise. While the healthcare sector is always changing, MHTC is dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare travel experiences, encouraging cross-industry collaboration, and fostering innovation in the sector. Through these strategic partnerships, MHTC is well-positioned to achieve previously unheard-of feats and create previously unheard-of standards of excellence within the international healthcare travel industry. Additionally, MHTC will seize this chance to aggressively connect these partners with appropriate MHTC hospitals, therefore successfully broadening their networks and facilitating chances in niche markets and therapeutic areas, deepening their relationship and opening up new avenues. “We acknowledge the tremendous benefit of strategic partnerships in advancing the healthcare travel sector. We are still dedicated to encouraging innovation and constant improvement as important forces behind long-term success as we make our way through the post-pandemic world. We extend an invitation to local, regional, and international business leaders to join us in investigating partnership possibilities that improve patient satisfaction and provide seamless, top-notch service to healthcare travellers. Together, we work to provide everyone comfort and make sure their experience is hassle-free, said Farizal. Source: traveldailynews

For a four-day familiarisation tour, Tourism Malaysia sent a group of Indian golf tour specialists and enthusiasts to Sabah. KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is seen as more than just a golf destination by Indian golf tour professionals and aficionados who are in the state to discover courses with a distinctive setting. The party of five Indian golfers came in Sabah last Tuesday and were astounded by the stunning backdrop of Kota Kinabalu and the kind welcome they got. They are here on a four-day familiarisation trip organised by Tourism Malaysia, which includes a dinner given by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, on the first day of the itinerary. The group discussed how Sabah may attract visitors from India beyond only golfers owing to the state’s diverse holiday offerings at the dinner event. Romit Bose, the top golf instructor in India, emphasised the accessibility of golf courses within resorts, hotel amenities, and the great weather for year-round golfing when he said Sabah’s opportunity is obvious. “I manage a golf academy in New Delhi where I instruct players and develop young golfers who want to become professionals so they may participate in competitions. Sabah appeals to me as a venue for a competition. You should be able to draw between 300 and 500 youth golfers and their families by utilising everything that Sabah has to offer. Sabah should, in my opinion, be a vacation spot for families with children, said the managing director of The Golfing Hub. Mahender Pal Khanna, the managing director of Diplomatic Travels, recognised that the breathtaking natural beauty of the state capital of Sabah alone is an attraction and that the presence of high-quality wellness resorts is an additional benefit for Indian tourists. “From what I’ve seen, Sabah is a wonderful location with a lot more to offer than simply golf. We also have a big wedding business, which you may take use of. I think direct flights from India would make it easier to welcome many visitors to Sabah,” he continued. Members of the panel also discussed the possibility of establishing direct chartered flights from India to Sabah soon. YB Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, Malaysia’s honourable deputy minister of tourism, arts and culture, and golf operators had a fruitful discussion at the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in India in February, which led to the group’s trip. In order to establish Sabah as a top golf destination for Indian tourists, we are delighted to highlight the state’s stunning golf courses and attractions. We are optimistic that Sabah will enchant Indian golfers and support the expansion of tourism in Malaysia through partnerships with industry players and improved connectivity,” said Khairul, who previously met the golfers at a luncheon. The state of Sabah, according to Joniston, who also serves as the assistant minister for tourism, culture, and the environment, wants to provide golfers with a really exotic experience that is unique from that found in other golfing destinations. About 20 of our golf courses are bordered by verdant mountains, gorgeous beaches, and thick rainforests, offering a distinctive setting for golfers to enjoy. The number of golfers visiting Sabah has increased, and India is a new market for us. We sincerely want to see more Indian golfers and their families in Sabah taking advantage of our rich cultural legacy as well as golfing. “This cultural immersion adds another dimension to the golfing trip, making it a well-rounded experience that combines sport, nature, and cultural exploration,” he claimed. During their familiarisation tour, the party would play golf at the Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club and the Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club. Additionally, the Nexus Golf Karambunai Resort would be inspected. At the dinner were Datuk Sr Mohd. Yusrie Abdullah, Permanent Secretary of Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Environment; Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director International Promotion Division (ASAF); Muhammad Akmal Hafiz Abdul Aziz, Deputy Director (North and East India); and Tay Shu Lan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board. Source: traveldailynews

Indian passengers prefer to go to the UK, the US, and locations in Europe. For internal tourism, Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, and Kullu are the most popular destinations among Indian visitors. NEW DELHI According to the most recent data from Airbnb, the number of nights booked by Indian visitors for international travel more than quadrupled in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022. The main international travel destinations for Indians are now the United Kingdom, the United States, and different European nations. Indians are increasingly pursuing local travel adventures as well as foreign ones, delighting in beach getaways, metropolitan adventures, and peaceful retreats in the hills. The most popular domestic travel destinations are Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, and Kullu, in that order. When comparing full-year 2022 with pre-pandemic 2019, the total number of nights booked in India increased by 70%, while domestic nights increased by approximately 110%. Additionally, Airbnb has noticed a persistent interest among visitors from abroad to travel to India and experience the nation’s rich culture and traditions. Along with the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada, the United States stands out as the top source of Airbnb visitors to India. “The strong enthusiasm we are witnessing for travel presents a remarkable opportunity to foster meaningful connections,” said Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It displays the increased assurance and willingness of Indian tourists to discover new places and make lifelong experiences. Along with our thriving host community, we want to make sure India has the variety of lodging options required to capitalise on the travel rebound. We also want to support the promotion of responsible travel habits that enable visitors to genuinely engage with local communities and fully experience the nation’s rich cultural heritage. In order to help and speed up the continuing travel recovery, we’re dedicated to collaborating closely with the government and industry stakeholders. The travel outlook from Airbnb for 2023 Exploring off-the-beaten-path locations has attracted a lot of attention in 2023, giving tourists the chance to see new regions without having any preconceived assumptions. People are travelling alone more frequently as they look for self-reflection and balance in nature-based activities. Solo travel has become more popular due to its flexibility and independence as well as the desire for quiet and alone in remote locations. According to data from Airbnb, solo travel in India has increased by almost twofold over the same time previous year6. The number of Indians using Airbnb to travel with their families has increased significantly year over year, by over 110 percent. Families may stay at Airbnb lodgings since almost 90% of rentals have kitchens, 25% have three bedrooms or more, and over a million have cribs for young children. India has also seen a sharp increase in responsible tourism, as tourists are increasingly prioritising trips that support ethical behaviours, such eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and cultural tourism. Responsible travel enables people to form strong connections with local cultures and ways of life, resulting in genuine and distinctive experiences. Travellers are also increasingly looking for unconventional venues like treehouses, houseboats, and farm stays, which go beyond the standard lodging options. Trends in Summer Travel Indian tourists are avidly embracing both local and foreign sites as the summer season progresses. The top summer travel destinations inside India include Puri, Chennai, Goa, Dehradun, Mumbai, Kochi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Munnar, and Nainital, which all perfectly capture the country’s unique scenery. Internationally, the allure of Bali, Lucerne, Vienna, Paris, Lisbon, Split, Rome, Prague, Singapore, and Bangkok has drawn Indian tourists. When comparing Q1 2023 to Q1 2022, data on nights booked by Indians for overseas bookings were used as the basis.2 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.3 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.4 Based on reservations made in India and a comparison of the whole year 2022 with the pre-pandemic year 20195 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.Based on statistics from Airbnb bookings between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, compared to March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022.Based on Airbnb booking data between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, compared to March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022.8 Based on an increase in destination searches (minimum 1000) from Q1 2022 to Q1 2023. Source: traveldailynews