DreamSetGo, a Dream Sports company and premium bespoke sports travel and experiences platform, and Salford City FC have announced that David Beckham and Gary Neville, part of Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, will visit India this month.  This is Salford City FC’s first-ever expansion into the Asian market – with fan engagement in India a core part of the Club’s growth strategy –  and builds on the strategic investment made earlier this year by Dream Sports. Gary Neville and David Beckham, co-owners, Salford City FC said: “Global partners play a vital role in helping us grow Salford City Football Club and connect with new audiences. This collaboration brings together two ambitious organisations united by a vision to elevate global sporting experiences. We’re excited for this opportunity with DreamSetGo to continue building Salford City’s international presence in the years ahead.” Monish Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, DreamSetGo, added, “We’re proud to partner with Salford City FC and for Gary and David to join us in India. The Class of ’92 are more than legendary athletes, they’re global icons whose impact transcends the sport itself. Bringing them to India is a dream come true for football fans in the country. At DreamSetGo, we’re dedicated to creating extraordinary sports experiences, and this partnership will allow us to deliver something truly unforgettable.” This visit marks David and Gary’s first time together in India for DSG and Salford City Football Club, where they will meet with DSG corporate partners to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter for the two organisations.  

In a strategic move set to strengthen its presence across key outbound markets, OA GLOBE has officially acquired Tripper, the travel company founded and led by industry veteran Tejinder Sachdev. With over 25 years of leadership in the travel and hospitality sector, Sachdev built Tripper into a respected name within the B2B, MICE, and corporate travel segments. Known for its strong contracting capabilities, curated travel products, and operational presence in the CIS region and beyond, Tripper quickly earned a reputation for reliability, regional expertise, and service excellence. This acquisition allows OA GLOBE to expand its footprint and strengthen its destination management capabilities across CIS COUNTRIES. where Tripper already has a robust operational presence. “It has been an incredible journey building Tripper, and I am proud of what we have achieved,” said Sachdev, Founder of Tripper. “OA GLOBE DMC shares our commitment to excellence and innovation, and I am confident that the brand will continue to flourish under their leadership.” The acquisition aligns with OA GLOBE’s vision of becoming a truly global DMC with a deeply localized approach. By integrating Tripper’s resources and expertise, the group aims to enhance service delivery, strengthen partnerships, and provide even more customized travel solutions to its growing network of partners worldwide. The transition is expected to be seamless for all existing clients, partners, and vendors. Rahim Aslam, Founder of OA GLOBE DMC, shared his thoughts on the acquisition: “We are thrilled to welcome Tripper into the OA family. Mr. Tejinder Sachdev has built a respected and agile company with a deep understanding of the CIS markets—regions that are strategically important to our global growth vision. This acquisition strengthens our on-ground presence, adds strong operational capabilities, and …

Accepting the award for ‘Upcoming Luxury and Experiential Travel Company’ at the India Travel Awards 2025 held in New Delhi, Tanushka Kaur Chadha, Co-founder, Jastans Bespoke Luxury Vacations, said, “Winning this award as a young entrepreneur is a true honour. It reflects our commitment to creating exceptional, immersive travel experiences. We look forward to crafting unforgettable bespoke luxury vacations with greater passion and purpose.” She was accompanied by her Co-Founder, Jaskaran Chadha.

Sabina Piacenti, International Market Manager, McArthurGlen Group, said, “2025 has been a landmark year for McArthurGlen in India. Despite global challenges — including geopolitical tensions and visa issuance delays — Indian travellers demonstrated remarkable resilience. Tax-Free Sales (TFS) from India grew by 7% year-on-year, aligning with our budget expectations. We also observed a 66% increase in group travel, both leisure and MICE, underscoring the strength of our trade partnerships and marketing efforts.” Piacenti added, “Our travel trade familiarisation trips have been instrumental in raising awareness of our outlets and surrounding regions. Many partners are now keen to include a shopping stop in their itineraries, having experienced the excitement and rewards of luxury shopping firsthand. A notable trend is the shift from transactional shopping to experience-led luxury travel. Indian guests are spending more time in our villages, engaging with dining, architecture, and seasonal events. Curated experiences — such as hands-free shopping, VIP lounges, and private transfers — are increasingly in demand.”

Speaking about AI as a business tool, Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra, said, “I’ve never seen AI as just another add-on. For us at Yatra, it’s become the nervous system that holds everything together. It honestly keeps the day-to-day moving for us, be it with the cancellations that don’t drag, expenses that get processed without the back-and-forth, support that feels a little less like a queue and a little more like a conversation. Getting these fundamentals right matters, because that is what lets everything else work smoothly.”

Speaking about ITDC strengthening its market presence with its Q2 financial results, Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, ITDC, said, “Our Q2 outcomes demonstrate the continued success of our efforts to add value to our bouquet of services while preserving the rich legacy and trust associated with ITDC. We are expanding tech and data-enabled transformation, improving customer experiences and building long-term travel-tourism-hospitality solutions that support India’s growth story.” She added, “Our objective remains clear — to deliver consistent value and strive to enhance ITDC’s contribution to India’s Tourism landscape.” During Q2 2025, ITDC achieved a turnover of ₹124.17 crore, with Profit Before Tax (PBT) at ₹24 crore.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair of TOURISE, mentioned a bold new initiative that will allow Indian travellers to obtain Saudi tourist visas through their credit cards. Speaking at TOURISE in Riyadh, Hamidaddin revealed that the Kingdom is introducing a simplified, technology-driven visa process in partnership with financial institutions and major payment networks such as Mastercard and Visa. Under the new system, eligible Indian travellers will be able to apply for a Saudi visa directly using recognised credit cards, removing the need for embassy visits, fingerprinting, or bank statements. “This is one of our boldest steps yet,” Hamidaddin said. “If you have a recognised credit card, you can get a visa by Visa. Our goal is to make access effortless.” The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on India as a key tourism source market and reflects its wider vision to make travel more accessible through innovation and technology.

Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airport Holdings, said, “Our vision is to redefine the airport experience through intelligent, digital-first innovations that place passengers at the heart of everything that we do, converting their travel anxiety into excitement. Our collaboration with AIONOS marks a significant step in delivering seamless and personalised journeys across our airports. We are building a connected ecosystem that enhances efficiency, fosters inclusivity, and sets new benchmarks for smart, sustainable and future-ready airports in India.”

After successfully concluding the Leading Experience India 2025 at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the next edition of the flagship B2B event by Leading Hotels of the World – India will be held at Grand Hotel Vittoria Sorrento in Italy. This was announced by Deepak Arora, Director, LHW-India, at the farewell dinner of the event.

Meghalaya has unveiled its new tourism identity, ‘Symphony in the Mist’, a brand that captures its serene beauty. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone for the ₹233 crore Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit in Meghalaya under the PM-DevINE scheme, aiming to transform Sohra (Cherrapunjee) into a model for responsible tourism. This would serve as a benchmark for responsible tourism across India and is expected to redefine eco-tourism standards and position Sohra as a global destination for nature lovers and cultural explorers.