Varun Chadha, CEO & Founder, Tirun Travel Marketing, said, “Our estimates suggest that 70% of travel is inspired, and at least 40% is transacted outside the traditional travel distribution network.” He suggests that the trade shift from sales to marketing hires, become the influencers and get brands to invest in them, and develop the channel by collaborating with banks, tech companies, and event planners.

Zimbabwe took a bold stride during the 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo, as the event was hosted for the very first time in Mutare, Manicaland Province, after 17 years in Bulawayo. The milestone was amplified by the inaugural Air Zimbabwe flight from Harare to Mutare, welcomed in grand style at Grand Reef Aerodrome by Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Felix Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, alongside senior officials from Air Zimbabwe, and the Airports Company of Zimbabwe. This landmark flight signaled a new era of accessibility for the Eastern Highlands. As part of its strategic drive to captivate the Indian market, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in India, invited nine leading Indian travel buyers for an immersive journey from the Eastern Highlands to Victoria Falls. The Embassy continues to play a pivotal role in marketing Zimbabwe as an authentic and multi-dimensional destination, ensuring that the country’s rich cultural, natural, and adventure offerings are effectively communicated to Indian travelers. The journey began in Nyanga, where the timeless charm of Montclair Resort & Casino set the tone with warm hospitality and breathtaking vistas. At Aberfoyle Lodge, the group experienced a retreat — with misty mornings, waterfall nearby, and organic meals tailored to Indian palates, all wrapped in a Victorian-era ambiance. Highlights of the Eastern Highlands included: Scaling Mount Nyangani – conquering Zimbabwe’s tallest peak (2,593m) for sweeping views above the clouds Adrenaline at Mutarazi Falls – ziplining across Africa’s second-highest waterfall, an unforgettable heart-racing feat Classic hospitality – from the …

AVIAREPS India successfully hosted the maiden edition of its global “Around the World Roadshow”, bringing the showcase to Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. With over 200 travel agents in attendance, the event created an impactful platform for global partners to engage directly with the Indian travel trade. The roadshow brought together an impressive lineup of international partners, including Scalo Milano Outlet and More and Trenitalia from Italy; Atomium, Belgium Beer World, Mini Europe, and Visit Brussels from Belgium; Sarova Hotels & Resorts from Kenya; Magnicity in Europe and US, and the Utah Office of Tourism along with American Airlines from the United States. This diverse participation highlighted the strong interest of global tourism boards, attractions, and hospitality brands in the Indian outbound travel market. Commenting on the success, Ellona Pereira, General Manager, AVIAREPS India, said: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to our first Around the World Roadshow in India. This platform allowed us to connect global partners with the right audience, creating strong opportunities for future business. At AVIAREPS, we live by our mission— ‘to bring the world to the people in it,’ and this initiative is a true reflection of that promise. We look forward to building this into an annual tradition with even more exciting partners from across the globe.” Francesco Cacciapuoti, Chief Sales Officer Trenitalia, stating on the event:” Trenitalia (FS Group), in collaboration with its partner AVIAREPS, has successfully concluded its mission in India to strengthen brand visibility within a strategic and high-potential market. The AVIAREPS Roadshow proved to be a good choice for Trenitalia’s first visit to India: the team was able to connect with dozens of carefully selected new operators. Trenitalia is committed …

Tourism India Alliance (TIA) successfully concluded its Malaysia Mega Destination Showcase FAM trip, bringing together a strong delegation of 40 leading travel agents and tour operators from across India. The FAM cum study tour was organized in association with Malaysia Tourism, Langkawi Development Board, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association (MITTA), and Malaysia Airlines, with the objective of showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthening bilateral tourism ties between India and Malaysia. Over the course of the program, delegates explored the unique attractions of Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Genting along with some of Malaysia’s emerging destinations. The showcase highlighted the country’s vibrant culture, pristine natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and strong positioning as a preferred destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel. Participants had the opportunity to engage in exclusive property visits, cultural experiences, and B2B networking sessions with Malaysian DMCs, hoteliers, and tourism stakeholders, aimed at creating stronger collaborations and future business opportunities. Speaking on the occasion, Mukesh Jain, EVP – Tourism India Alliance (TIA), said: “This Mega Destination Showcase has been an eye-opener for our delegates, many of whom were visiting Malaysia for the first time. The warmth, hospitality, and excellent support extended by Malaysia Tourism, Langkawi Development Board, MITTA, and Tourland DMC made this program truly memorable. We believe this initiative will significantly contribute to enhancing Malaysia’s visibility and appeal among Indian travellers, particularly in the leisure and MICE segments.” “We are grateful to Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General – Tourism Malaysia, Dato Aruldass Arulandu, President – MITTA and Mr Amit Mehta, Regional Manager – South Asia, Middle East & Africa at Malaysia Airlines for their unconditional and generous support that …

Team Mélange is overwhelmed with the phenomenal response received for Mélange 2025. With just a couple of days to go, the preparations intensify as the team works tirelessly to ensure an event that delivers on their promise of excellence. True to the commitment of Quality over Quantity, the team would have loved to close registrations earlier. However, keeping in mind the interests of our friends in the trade, Melange announces that buyer registrations will close at 1800 hours today – 18th September 2025.

The 68th TAAI Convention was inaugurated at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, in his address said, “At this convention, we will not only explore business techniques and innovations, but also how our actions can amplify the good that sustains both communities and commerce.”

Accepting the DDP Face of the Future Award at the India Travel Awards 2025, Chitra Gurnani Daga, CEO, Thrillophilia, said, “This is a prestigious moment for us. What we want to do in the travel space is combine data combined personalisation, combine a phenomenal on-ground experience with technology, and that is where we see the future of travel, and very excited to get this recognition on this platform.” Walking out of ISB with an idea to make discovery of the world effortless, Daga co-founded Thrillophilia in 2011. Within a few years, she transformed the two-person startup into a global travel platform, trusted by more than 100 million users and serving a million travellers annually. Her leadership shone during the pandemic when she safeguarded jobs and accelerated tech adoption.

With the new Mopa airport operational now, Goa is witnessing an expansion in scheduled international flights, especially from countries in the Gulf region and Iran. New direct flight services are being lined up: for instance, the resumption of flights to Gatwick (UK) by September end, and from October 5, three weekly flights from Yekaterinburg, Russia to Mopa. Between January and June 2025, the state welcomed 5.45 million tourists (domestic + international), comprising 5.18 million domestic and 0.27 million international travellers, representing an 8.4% year-on-year increase.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) users can now make Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions of up to Rs 10 lakh within 24 hours, with verified merchant for specified categories, including travel. According to the circular issued by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), it has raised the single transaction limit for P2M transactions to Rs 5 lakh under these specified categories. However, the limit for Person-to-Person (P2P) transfers remains unchanged at Rs 1 lakh per day. Meanwhile, credit card bill payments can now be made up to Rs 5 lakh per transaction, with a maximum of Rs 6 lakh in a day. This major revision in UPI limit will make high-value digital payments easier and more secure for Indian travellers.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the National Tourism Organization of Nepal, is pleased to inform you all that peace, stability, and normalcy have been fully restored across the country following recent political developments. With the formation of Interim Government under the premiership of the first female Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon’ble Sushila Karki, daily life has resumed smoothly, businesses and offices are open, and citizens are returning to their livelihoods with renewed optimism after partially imposed curfews and restrictions on travel. A spirit of hope—particularly among youth—reflects growing confidence in good governance and socio-economic prosperity. Interim Government has assured timely elections, further strengthening public trust and stability. For travelers, these changes bring positive assurance. Public transportation, domestic and international flights, and all major tourist destinations are operating normally. Hotels, restaurants, and travel services are open and welcoming guests in safe and comfortable environment. Tourism in Nepal has a remarkable history of resilience. Despite past crises, including natural disasters and political challenges, Nepal’s tourism industry has consistently bounced back, showcasing the enduring spirit of its people, support of international tourism fraternity, and the timeless allure of its landscapes and heritage. Globally, destinations that have faced similar political upheavals have demonstrated tourism’s ability to recover swiftly, and Nepal is no exception. NTB is confident that tourism sector will once again rebound, stronger than ever, as visitors return to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Himalaya, vibrant cultural traditions, and sacred sites. Nepal is now safe, peaceful, and ready to host visitors from around the world. For the latest travel updates and advisories, please visit NTB’s official website at www.nfb.gov.np or contact our offices directly.