The Airbus XLR, arriving later this year, will extend IndiGo’s flying range. New direct routes, such as Athens, and increased frequencies to destinations like Nairobi, will strengthen the airline’s international presence while unlocking untapped markets and wider travel options for Indians.

Melbourne has achieved number one ranking in Australia and in the Asia Pacific in the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index rankings for 2025. The city also earned first position in the Metropolis and Mega Cities category. The GDS Index is the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement program for tourism and events destinations, evaluating cities across four key pillars: environmental strategy and performance, social sustainability, destination management, and supplier engagement. Melbourne rose to 11th place worldwide, from 24th place in 2024, cementing its place as a global leader in sustainability and its commitment to continuous improvement across the visitor economy. The city’s index score improved from 76.6 per cent in 2024 to 83 per cent in 2025, the most significant improvement in the past seven years. A key element in Melbourne’s success was the strong performance of suppliers across the city who play a critical role in delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. Organisations, including hotels and event venues, demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices that elevated Melbourne’s ability to host world-class events with minimal environmental impact. The strength of Team Melbourne and the city’s collaborative approach to event delivery also played a crucial role in the result. Melbourne Convention Bureau’s strong partnerships with the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), as well as the support of the Victorian government, allow us to embed sustainability into the way we attract, plan and deliver business events, creating world-class events that leave a positive legacy. The City of Melbourne collaborated closely with MCB on our submission, ensuring our efforts in being considered a sustainable event destination were recognised on the world stage. The City of Melbourne …

Tamilnadu Travel Expo 2025 will be held from 26–28 September at IDA Scudder Auditorium, Madurai. The event, designed to bring together diverse stakeholders of the travel industry from across the country, invites them to explore Tamil Nadu’s offerings in hospitality, wellness retreats, and wedding destinations, and not just its heritage.

Google data reveals that India generates over 12 billion travel-related searches every year. This sheer volume confirms India’s position as one of the largest travel interest markets globally. The searches cover categories such as flights, hotels, destinations, visas, cruises, road trips, and more. The figure reflects how Indians are increasingly relying on digital platforms for inspiration, research, planning, and booking. The number underscores both the scale of India’s appetite for travel and the central role of digital channels in shaping decisions.

On winning the Excellence in Full Service Travel Solutions honour at the India Travel Awards 2025, Romil Pant, Executive Vice President & Head – Holidays, Thomas Cook (India), said, “We are proud and humbled to receive this Maya trophy. It inspires us to enhance customer experiences, promote sustainable tourism, and ensure our travellers enjoy the very best, both within India and across the globe.”

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.