Tag Travel

Delhi, 21^st October 2024: Brightsun Travel proudly announces the launch of Premier by Brightsun, a new division offering curated luxury travel services that elevate the standard of premium travel. With an emphasis on comfort, exclusivity, and indulgence, Premier by Brightsun is set to redefine the boundaries of luxury travel for discerning clientele.

Premier by Brightsun delivers a range of bespoke services, including premium, business, and first-class flight bookings with renowned global airlines, tailor-made holiday packages, and corporate travel management. From private island getaways and five-star hotels in world-class cities to personalized itineraries, the service ensures seamless journeys designed around the unique needs of each traveler.

“At Brightsun, we have always aimed to offer the best travel experiences to our customers. With Premier by Brightsun, we’re taking this vision to the next level, providing luxury and personalization that allows travelers to enjoy every aspect of their journey,” said Mr. Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel. “We are excited to present Premier by Brightsun as the go-to solution for high-end travel with a commitment to innovation and excellence.”

Premier by Brightsun extends beyond leisure, providing comprehensive corporate travel solutions. From securing exclusive accommodations and managing ground transport to coordinating high-level meetings and events, the service ensures business travelers experience a smooth and luxurious journey.

Mr. Deepak Nangla, Managing Director of Premier by Brightsun, highlighted the company’s bespoke approach, stating, “Every traveler is unique, and we believe in tailoring services to exceed expectations. Whether it’s arranging award-winning luxury hotels worldwide, premium transfers, or VIP access to airport lounges and attractions, Premier by Brightsun takes care of every detail to ensure a memorable and stress-free experience.”

In line with its mission, Premier by Brightsun aims to surpass expectations through exceptional service and attention to detail, creating memorable experiences from the moment of booking to the return home.

Delhi, 7th October 2024: ixigo, India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users, is delighted to announce its much-anticipated Grand Travel Utsav Sale, from October 4th to 8th, 2024. In this period, travelers can enjoy flat 15% off on domestic and international flight and hotel bookings, making their upcoming festive travels more affordable and delightful.

During the sale, travelers can take advantage of the exclusive offer with multiple banks and get flat 15% off, on flight tickets and hotel bookings! ICICI Bank customers, using Credit Cards, Net Banking, or Credit Card EMIs, can enjoy the offer on 4th and 5th October 2024. RBL Bank credit card holders can claim their discount on 6th October, followed by AU Small Finance Bank credit card holders on 7th October. BOBCARD users can grab the deal on 8th October.

Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO & Rajnish Kumar Group Co-CEO, ixigo, said, “With the festive season approaching, we’re making travel more affordable and accessible for everyone with our Grand Travel Utsav Sale. We want travelers to enjoy their festive journeys without the burden of high costs. With flat discounts on domestic and international flights, plus hotels, and exciting bank deals, there’s no better time to plan your perfect getaway. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your festive travel dreams come true!”

For the sale, ixigo has collaborated with reputed airline partners like Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Emirates, Egypt Air, Cathay Pacific, Air Mauritius, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Myanmar Airways International, Cambodia Angkor Air and Vietnam Airlines.

This festive sale is designed to meet the growing demand for affordable travel during India’s most joyful season. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a solo trip, this offer ensures that you can book your festive journeys at exceptional prices.

Bengaluru, July 24th, 2024: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) successfully held the second edition of the Bengaluru Retail Summit, a premier event that brought together the brightest minds and influential leaders from the retail industry. Held at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore, the summit emerged as a melting pot of transformative ideas, emerging trends, and invaluable networking opportunities. Against the vibrant backdrop of Bengaluru’s retail culture, it served as a pivotal platform for retailers and brands to engage in impactful discussions, collectively shaping the future of retail in India.

Speaking about the summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “India’s retail sector stands at the cusp of profound transformation. The dynamic discussions on strategies for retail success, the seamless integration of digital innovations, and the latest retail ideas have highlighted how industry leaders are navigating this constantly evolving market. Our focus on mastering the market and innovating is diverse. With a burgeoning middle class, expanding digital infrastructure, and strategic government initiatives, we anticipate a dynamic era of growth and innovation. These advancements position the retail sector as a pivotal driver of economic vitality and consumer empowerment in the years ahead.”

Highlights of the Bengaluru Retail Summit 2024 by RAI was the keynote address on ‘Revolutionize Retail with AI Everywhere’ by Ganesan V P, Consulting Business Leader for Retail, CPG, Travel, Transportation, Pharma & LS Industries – India South Asia, IBM.

The summit also hosted two stimulating Fireside Chats with Rajneet Kohli, CEO & Executive Director, Britannia Industries Ltd, and with Nirupa Shankar, Jt Managing Director, Brigade Group.

Expressing delight at the second edition of BRS, Rajneet Kohli, CEO & Executive Director, Britannia Industries Ltd said, “The future of retail lies in seamlessly blending technology with the human touch. Using data-driven insights to understand consumer preferences and deliver tailored experiences will drive growth and foster deeper customer loyalty.”

Hari Menon, Co-Founder & CEO, Bigbasket said, “The retail industry is at a pivotal point where digital transformation is crucial. Integrating online and offline channels is essential to meet evolving consumer demands. Innovation in logistics and personalized services will be the key drivers of future retail success.”

Karan Mehta, CEO, Easybuy, Landmark Group said, “Understanding and responding to diverse customer needs is more important than ever. By harnessing advanced analytics and staying ahead of emerging trends, retailers can create personalized and engaging shopping experiences, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness.”

The summit witnessed captivating discussions on topics such as “Strategies for Retail Success: Navigating a Constantly Evolving Market” “Tech Adoption: Integrating Digital Innovations with Physical Presence” “Retail Technology: Powering Business, Enabling Growth” & “Mastering the Market: Transforming Insights into Growth Opportunities.”

industry leaders speaking at the summit included:

Johnson Verghese – Managing Director – Fossil Group India

Karan Mehta – CEO, Landmark Group

Rajneet Kohli – CEO & ED, Britannia Industries Ltd

V Muhammad Ali – CEO, Retail, Prestige Group

Manohar Chatlani – MD Retail India Pvt Ltd, Soch Apparels Pvt Ltd

Subhash Chandra – MD Sangeetha Mobiles

Mrunmay Mehta – CEO, WOW Skin Science

Ashim Ashok Patel, MD & CEO, i – TEK RFID

Hari Menon – Co-founder & CEO – Big Basket

Dr Shashank Sinha, CEO, Drolls India Pvt Ltd

Chandru Kalro, Managing Director, TTK Prestige

Chintan Mehta – Founder, Italian Colony

David R Stanley – Founder & Managing Director, Healux International Pvt. Ltd

Deepak Singh – Director & CEO Saturo Technologies

Sumit Jasoria, Co-Founder & CEO, NEWME

These thought leaders shared their insights on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the retail sector, fostering a rich environment of knowledge exchange and collaboration. The event’s successful execution has set a benchmark for industry gatherings, reaffirming Bengaluru’s status as a central hub for retail excellence.

About RAI:

Retailers Association of India (RAI) is the unified voice of Indian retailers. RAI works with all the stakeholders for creating the right environment for the growth of the modern retail industry in India. It is a strong advocate for retailing in India and works with all levels of government and stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast to coast, and enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.

Sustainable business travel is not just a buzzword; it’s a commitment to reducing the environmental and social impacts of our professional journeys. Minimizing an organization’s environmental impact is not just a matter of being responsible. It is about being efficient and successful because good stewardship can help your organization retain customers and employees and increase profitability.

Here are five detailed tips to make business travel more sustainable, combining individual and organizational efforts for a meaningful impact:

1. Choose Business Travel Smartly and Selectively

In the pursuit of optimizing professional journeys, businesses are increasingly integrating intelligence and sustainability into their travel strategies. Leveraging advanced technology, companies meticulously assess the imperative of travel, recognizing the efficacy of virtual meetings in certain instances.

When air travel is unavoidable, a strategic emphasis on selecting direct flights not only ensures cost- effectiveness but also contributes to a diminished environmental impact. Decision-making is streamlined to facilitate impactful and environmentally conscious work trips. This commitment extends to ground transportation, where alternatives such as trains, buses, or electric carpooling are explored, particularly for group trips. Despite potential time differences, these choices consistently enhance travel comfort, alleviate stress, and may result in significant cost savings, embodying a nuanced and balanced approach to professional mobility.

2. Invest in Carbon Offsets

Recognizing the inherent carbon emissions associated with all forms of travel, it becomes imperative to address and offset the environmental impacts. It is crucial for businesses to meticulously calculate the comprehensive travel carbon footprint, encompassing aspects like transportation and hotel stays, and subsequently invest in carbon offsets or subscribe to ongoing offset plans. Some forward-thinking companies offer seamless integration with corporate travel management software, streamlining the measurement process. Leveraging online carbon calculators, employees can estimate and offset emissions from their trips, contributing to initiatives such as forest maintenance, renewable energy generation, or wetland restoration. These collective efforts play a vital role in combating climate change and promoting a more sustainable business ecosystem.

3. Choose Hotels with Environmentally Friendly Practices

Hotels play a pivotal role in the trajectory of sustainable travel. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance underlines the imperative for hotels to curtail per-room carbon emissions by 66% by 2030. When making accommodation choices, conscientious travelers should delve into a hotel’s sustainability practices. Opt for establishments dedicated to energy conservation, water efficiency, and waste reduction. Many eco-conscious hotels have taken steps such as eliminating single-use plastics, embracing composting to mitigate food waste, and incorporating smart technologies to optimize energy consumption. Certifications from reputable organizations like LEED serve as positive indicators of a hotel’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, providing travelers with an informed basis for supporting environmentally responsible accommodations.

4. Go Paperless with Your Travel Documents

Embrace the digital era by transitioning from paper to digital travel documents. Most airlines now provide apps for digital boarding passes, and many hotel chains offer mobile apps for booking and itinerary management. By going paperless, one not only reduces paper waste but also enhances the efficiency of travel planning and organization. For group travel, leverage cloud-based tools to share itineraries and schedules, ensuring easy accessibility for the entire team.

5. Continuously Measure Your Impact

Sustainability is an enduring journey, and continual monitoring is indispensable for gauging progress. Vigilantly tracking an organization’s overall carbon footprint and the individual contributions of employees during travel serves a dual purpose. It not only assesses the effectiveness of the sustainability strategy in place but also furnishes valuable insights into areas ripe for improvement. This active monitoring mechanism empowers organizations to adapt and refine their sustainability initiatives, ensuring a dynamic and responsive approach towards mitigating environmental impact. In the context of travel, understanding and analyzing individual carbon footprints contribute to a more nuanced strategy, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability in the pursuit of long-term sustainability goals.

In conclusion, sustainable business travel is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity for positive change. By adopting these tips, both individuals and organizations can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible approach to professional travel. As we navigate this new era of business travel, let’s seize the chance to redefine our strategies and implement practices that benefit not only
our organizations but also the communities and environments we touch. SAP Concur’s integration empowers businesses with data-driven insights for informed decision-making, ensuring a seamless alignment with sustainable travel practices and reinforcing a holistic approach to professional mobility.