Travel Guides & Articles
Being “The Best You”: Klook Partners with ICICI For Promoting Exclusive Travel Campaign In India
Friday, July 11, 2025
New Delhi – Asia’s ultimate travel experiences platform, Klook, announced the unveiling of a new brand campaign, “The Best You”, which invites travelers to reconnect with themselves through out-of-the-ordinary travel experiences. Starring India’s beloved comedian, Bharti Singh, the “The Best You” campaign seeks to reframe the way people perceive travel—focusing on self-discovery, elation, and personalized connections.
The campaign alligns with a new partnership between the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card and Klook, a first-of-its-kind offering to India’s crème-de-la-crème consumers. The partnership holds the promise of giving card members the best-of-the-best travel benefits, which shall go a long way towards enhancing the travel experiences of India’s discerning travelers.
Bharti Singh’s Journey of Persistence and Rediscovery
The Bharti Singh saga is a touching tale of metamorphosis and endurance. India’s Queen of Comedy, Bharti has made a name for herself in an industry which isn’t too comfortable with women, let alone when crossing over into the zone of humor. But with determination, humor, and an iron self, Bharti has cracked open doors. Bharti reflects today about her personal transformation and how traveling became the core of her life.
“Not many know the work that went into me getting my place in the industry,” Bharti said. “Over the years, I have been bombarded with ideas about how I need to live my life. But now, I have to stop, calm down, and do something for me. Traveling does that for me—reconnect, open myself up to the new, and let the little things that really get to my heart, put a smile back on my face.”
With “The Best You”, Bharti invites you to share the travel spirit that builds individual growth and connectivity. Her message boils down to embracing the values of spontaneity and taking refuge in the little things—a serene night under stars, exploration of new cultures, or a first-hand experience of something. Bharti’s own adventure summarizes the ad campaign: travel is not about the locales, it’s about the emotions and experiences that keep you truly alive.
Special Travel Benefits for Times Black ICICI Bank Card Members
Klook’s partnership with Times Black ICICI Bank again expands the relationship with travel and luxury. Times Black Credit Card, made out of a rare metal, targets India’s elite customer segment specifically and gives them a set of hand-curated benefits and luxury offerings. As a result of the relationship, the card members are entitled to exclusive rights to a set of benefits provided through the Klook platform, consisting of:
Special discounts when you book experiences anywhere in the globe.
First access to sold-out events and attractions.
Professional customer service to ensure a comfortable trip.
For the discerning traveler, the Times Black card holds the prospect of taking their travel experiences to a higher level, not just with superior experiences, but with luxury-level service, as well as VIP benefits.
A Revamped Travel Experience for the New-Age Indian Travelers
According to Shivam Tyagi, the Marketing Lead of Klook India and the Middle East, “The Best You” program does not center on simple activity provision. It’s an offer to re-live happy moments and create significant, memorable experiences which have an emotional recall.
“People yearn for a connection now more than ever,” Tyagi explained. “They want to get away from the routine of everyday existence and reconnect themselves with the things and themselves around them. Klook aims to facilitate that connection through heart-touching travel—via shared humor, the rush of a new adventure, the grandeur of a new destination.”
The brand, with all it stands for—informality, self-exploration, and a healthy dose of fun—is perfectly compatible with the traveller of today, who increasingly, through travel, wishes to have a genuine re-invention of the self. Whether it’s the romanticism of a serene Balinese sunset or the frivolous street-food explorations of Bangkok, “The Best You” celebrates the individual moments that, when collectively shared, make travel a holiday and not a trip—and a genuinely transformational experience.
What’s Next: Future Plans and Future Travel Opportunities
Klook and Times Black ICICI Bank joint venture is said to become a defining element of the luxury travel ecosystem of India. For the times to come, the joint venture shall offer card members even more personalized services such as limited edition travel services, exclusive event activities, and broader coverage of emerging travel destinations. That’s just the beginning of what promises to become a new chapter for the new age Indian traveler who seeks luxurious experiences.
Both Times Black ICICI Bank and Klook recognize the evolution of the travel environment and are committed to delivering premium, personalized services that enhance the process of traveling. By leveraging the global platform of Klook and the Times Black card’s exclusive features, the new joint venture seeks to reposition the relationship of premium Indian travelers with the world.
Including Travel as a Part of Self-Discovery This launch of “The Best You” and Times Black ICICI Bank partnership are a true reflection of what travel today is all about. Checking the boxes of the places or seeing the attractions does not hold true anymore, today it is all about the moments, the people, and the experiences that make your trip all the difference. Bharti Singh’s own reflections are a reminder that travel can play a part as a tool of individual exploration as much as a source of much pleasure and connection. As Klook continues to grow its presence in India’s luxury travel market, the partnership marks a new chapter in how India’s elite adventurers see the globe—curated, personalized, and meaningful.
Travel Guides & Articles
UP students to get Rs 6000 yearly travel allowance if school is over 5 km away
In a significant step towards improving access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new scheme to provide an annual travel allowance of rs 6000 to students who live at least five kilometres away from their schools.
This initiative aims to help students from six districts of Bundelkhand and remote Sonbhadra reach their government secondary schools without facing travel hardship.
Under the scheme, students from Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Sonbhadra will be eligible for a 6000 annual travel allowance.
The benefit will be given to students of classes 9 to 12 who live five kilometres or more from the nearest government secondary school.
The scheme is being rolled out in the current academic session and is expected to give immediate relief to thousands of students struggling with long commutes.
FUNDS TO BE SENT THROUGH DIRECT TRANSFER
The annual assistance will be credited directly into the students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). According to the plan, the first instalment of the allowance could be released as early as 5 September.
Girl students from 146 government schools chosen under the Pradhan Mantri School Vikas Yojana (PM Shri) will also benefit from this new travel allowance scheme.
This inclusion ensures broader support for female students, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
SIMPLE APPLICATION AND VERIFICATION PROCESS
To receive the benefit, students must fill out a declaration form (pro forma) stating that there is no government secondary school within a five-kilometre radius of their home.
This form will then be verified by the Gram Pradhan (village head) at the village level and by the school principal.
In urban areas, local councillors will be responsible for verifying the declarations. Once approved, the eligible students will start receiving the allowance.
A key condition of the scheme is regular school attendance. Students must also show at least a 10 percent increase in their attendance to continue receiving the allowance. This measure is designed to improve not only access but also student engagement and discipline.
THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT
The scheme is expected to benefit around 24,000 students across Bundelkhand and Sonbhadra. In addition, approximately 4,000 girl students from PM Shri schools will also receive travel support.
This scheme highlights the government’s focus on removing barriers to education and improving enrolment and attendance, especially in remote and underserved areas.
(With inputs from Ankit Mishra)
– Ends
Travel Guides & Articles
OYO and Yatra Partner to Expand Business Travel Solutions Across India: Here is Everything You Need to Know Now
Friday, July 11, 2025
In a strategic joint venture, Yatra and OYO have come together to restructure the segment of business travel solutions for India. Under the joint venture, the two firms look forward to meeting the rising expectations of corporate travel customers by building a seamless, effective process for the management of business travel. By offering effortless bookings as well as personalized deals, the joint venture aims at making the entire travel process convenient for corporate customers.
Enhancing Business Travel Solutions Experience
OYO’s collaboration with Yatra targets offering corporate travelers the best combination of comfort, affordability, and convenience. With the cooperation, corporates can benefit from the wide hotel chain of OYO across India while simultaneously benefitting from the travel services of Yatra for convenient bookings of flights, transportation, and others. Through the cooperation, corporate clients can organize their complete business travel needs through a single platform, thereby saving significant administration effort as well as travel inconvenience.
Through the marrying of these two brand strengths, the streamlining process occurs and corporations are provided a single-source, one-stop-shop for everything from accommodation to transportation. Business travel solutions are more readily accessible than ever, with flexible offerings specifically created to meet the individualized needs of the corporate marketplace.
Customized Solutions for Business Travelers
Time and convenience are two major areas of interest for corporate visitors, and the joint venture is dedicated to taking both into consideration. Yatra and OYO have designed customized bundles that are aligned to the diversified requirements of corporate clients.
They have customized hotel deals, flexible bookings, and upgraded services, so that corporate visitors have a convenient, comfortable stay while away from their homes. Organizations are now able to provide their employees the option of having an effective, convenient travel process, beginning with budget accommodation and extending all the way to quick check-ins, travel assistance, and full-range business travel management.
This partnership helps the business corporations to focus on the performances and productivity of the business without the botheration of travel-related affairs, thereby ensuring convenient and comfortable business travel for all concerned.
Expanded Reach Across India
The joint venture does not just enrich the corporate clientele, but it seriously widens the reach of the two brands immensely. As much as OYO has been a standout when it comes to affordable stay facilities, the joint venture now has the opportunity to target corporate clients via Yatra’s already established base of corporate travel. By expanding, the joint venture now gets to target companies of all sorts, offering the complete spectrum of accommodation, starting with budget stays all the way through suites.
As the travel needs are increasing for business, especially for tier 3 and tier 2 cities, the joint venture is perfectly positioned to capture a larger percentage of the corporate travel segment. Through customized services, Yatra and OYO look forward to targeting corporates with consistent travel needs, such that their employees get the best prices along with the best services.
A Business Travel Booking Solution Game-Changer
In case of organizations that manage multiple business tours, the Yatra and OYO joint venture guarantees a single window eliminating the use of multiple bookings. Employees are now able to book hotel rooms, airplane tickets, and multiple other services through a single window, thus making the process of booking simpler and time-saving.
Through the central process of booking, employees are now able to organize their schedules for trips easily, as well as have the advantage of real-time information regarding flight schedules, hotel rooms, and multiple services.
The user-friendly system serves to facilitate better management of corporate travel as a whole, enabling workers to track their schedules better and handle changes with ease.
Strengthening Business Travel Solutions Relationships
As a part of the joint venture, Yatra and OYO are also strengthening their relationship with corporate clients. The flexibility of such a partnership enables corporates to offer personalized experiences to their employees, taking care of the individual needs of all the companies.
With the corporate travel management capabilities of Yatra and the wide hotel offerings of OYO, the joint venture ensures corporates can offer a seamless personalized travel experience.
Further, the adaptable business travel services offered as a consequence of the partnership allow corporations to scale their travel requirements without the need to compromise quality, budget, or service. By opting for the choice of bespoke bundles and corporate rates, corporations are upgrading their travel policies to better match the precise requirements of their employees.
Key Benefits for Companies Obtaining Business Travel Solutions
- Economic Travel Options: OYO’s affordable chain of accommodation enables businesses to save money while offering their workers comfortable lodging.
- Seamless Travel Integration: Yatra’s website integrates airline, hotel, and transportation services by a single booking process, which enhances efficiency and minimizes admin time.
- Flexible Policies: The venture has flexible booking policies, e.g., last-minute bookings, cancellations, and customized travel combinations to adapt to changing business demands.
- National Cover: Each brand has broad coverage throughout India, hence corporate clients get to enjoy countrywide cheap and luxury travel services.
How the Partnership Impacts India’s Business Travel Solutions Industry
This alliance of Yatra and OYO solves a number of issues which were otherwise faced by companies while facilitating corporate travel. Previously, corporate journeys used to be facilitated through different portals for booking air, hotel, and transportation.
But now, through the alliance, corporate clients enjoy the advantage of a single platform for all their corporate travel needs, which has indeed streamlined the process a lot. Besides, as corporate travel needs are increasing further, specifically in new emerging India cities, the venture appropriately addresses the needs of corporate players operating in both cities and towns.
By specializing corporate client services, Yatra and OYO are better aligned to address the needs of corporate commuters today, while, at the same time, boosting local tourist and business activity.
Final Words on Business Travel Solutions
This Yatra-OYO joint venture is not just a joint venture, but a game-changer that redefines the business travel space in India. By marrying the budget chain of OYO hotels and the full-service corporate travel offerings of Yatra, the joint venture offers corporations a lower-cost, seamless method to handle corporate travel. The joint venture is a giant stride towards India’s business travel infrastructure maturing, empowering corporations of all sizes with the capabilities they need to handle corporate travel efficiently.
Travel Guides & Articles
‘We Cannot Go To Pakistan But He Can’
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday took a fresh swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mocking his frequent foreign visits and specifically highlighting his surprise stopover in Pakistan’s Lahore in 2015 to meet the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.
“It seems that when the PM is flying in his plane, he looks down and asks, ‘Which country is that?’ When told it’s so-and-so, he says, ‘No worries, we will reach an hour late where we are going; let’s land here now.’ He decides to land just anywhere. That’s how he landed in Pakistan too,” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said in Punjabi in the state assembly on Friday, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“The PM decided, just like that, to visit Pakistan. He had biryani and came back. We cannot go to Pakistan, but he can land there!” Mann added.
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MEA Slams Punjab CM Over ‘Irresponsible’ Remarks
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday criticised CM Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on the foreign trips of PM Modi. While disassociating itself from the remarks, the MEA stated that the statement from the Punjab chief minister was “irresponsible” and “regrettable”.
Bhagwant Mann, while taking a jibe at PM Modi’s foreign visits, stated that the prime minister is visiting countries with populations less than even 10,000. PM Modi on Thursday returned to India after his five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
“We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.
“The Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” he added.
“Don’t I have the right to ask about the country’s foreign policy and what did he do there? Why does Adani’s business start wherever he (PM) goes? I will continue to ask in the future as well. With 140 crore people in the country, he should engage with them and address their concerns. He says he will stop the Ukraine war (Ukraine-Russia), but he can’t even resolve water issues between Punjab and Haryana,” Mann told reporters on MEA condemning his statements on PM Modi’s five-nation visit.
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