Speaking at GPS Chandigarh, Raju Akolkar, CEO, GPS, said, “The 2-day event witnessed a strong participation from Punjab and Himachal’s travel industry. We noted a distinct regional preference for luxury travel, including upscale hotels and premium destinations. The northern market’s flair for glamorous trends was evident.” The event witnessed the particiaption of over 450 buyers alongside 35 exhibitors.”

As per HVS Anarock July 2025 report, Mumbai and New Delhi maintained their premium positioning with Average Room Rates (ARR) exceeding ₹10,000 and ₹8,500 respectively in June 2025. Meanwhile, Hyderabad saw the highest year-on-year growth. However, Goa was witnessed a year-on-year dip in average rates in June 2025.

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has decided to build 5-star resorts at five locations, including the uninhabited Aves Island, which will be opened for tourism for the first time. The other four eco-tourism properties will come up at Neil Island, Megapode Resort in Port Blair, Long Island and Smith Island.

At OTOAI’s 6th Annual Convention in Moscow, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “The way technology is changing rapidly, travel industry must adapt to these changes. Otherwise, it would be tough to compete with the big giants. In today’s world of social media, technology will help the members to sell Russia in a better way.”

GPS launched its 8th edition in Ahmedabad, unveiling a new format ‘GPS EcoConnect’, targeting tier II, III, and IV cities. Alongside the regular GPS meet in 8 cities, the new initiative will bring 1-day B2B meet to 8 more untapped markets. This expansion aims to connect remote travel trade hubs where traditional outreach is often limited.

Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Government of Goa  chaired a meeting of tourism stakeholders, where hospitality sector urged to simplify trade licence process and ease excise permits for restaurants. The Minister said, “If policies need to be tweaked, we will tweak them. Whether it is connectivity or visa, we will do what is necessary to ensure that tourism continue to flourish.”

Cross Hotels & Resorts invites Indian MICE travel agents to its special webinar on 15 July at 3pm IST to explore dynamic MICE opportunities at brand’s properties across Thailand. Get insights on enriching itineraries for your corporate clients. Register and win exciting prizes. For further info, contact sandeep.raghav@crosshotelsandresorts.in or 9599076699.

Chatchaya Glaiprayong, Head of Global Sales, Cross Hotels & Resorts, revealed that the upcoming Away Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel with 75-room urban retreat offers guests a perfect escape from the everyday hustle with its blend of relaxation and activity. Conveniently located near Emsphere, Bangkok’s newest landmark, this cutting-edge shopping and lifestyle destination spans over 200,000 square meters and is redefining how visitors experience retail, dining, and entertainment. Just a short walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station, the retreat provides easy access to top attractions while allowing guests to unwind in a serene setting after exploring the city’s most dynamic areas.

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are are set for an upgrade in intercity rail connectivity as the new Vande Bharat Express between Gorakhpur and Patna will commence operations on June 20.  The upcoming train service is not just a leap in travel efficiency but also an infrastructural boost for the northern part of the country. Running on the Gorakhpur–Bettiah–Narkatiaganj–Muzaffarpur–Patna corridor, the Vande Bharat is expected to connect major commercial and cultural centres.

Balitrip Wisata has launched API integration with one of Indonesia’s most aggressive hotel aggregators, bringing dynamic and static rates, instant confirmations and real-time availability to its B2B portal. This tech upgrade solves a major DMC challenge of delayed pricing and confirmation by offering a faster, more reliable, and price-competitive booking experience. This marks a bold step in transforming Bali hotel bookings for Indian travel agents.