Expedia Group’s VP of Social Impact and Sustainability, Aditi Mohapatra, believes that nature is the product we are offering travellers. “Beaches, coral reefs, rainforests… connecting and protecting them is essential” Governments and businesses must recognise that biodiversity and nature-based solutions are critical not only for climate resilience, but also for thriving local economies,” she says.

ClickMyCruise has launched a new cruise booking portal designed to help travel agents in India and beyond book cruises faster and more easily. With cruise demand rising in India, the platform offers a one-stop solution for agents to access real-time ship details, check commissions instantly, convert currencies hassle-free, and register quickly. “Launching this portal is a game-changer for the Indian cruise industry. We feel this platform sets industry standards for cruise bookings, making the process faster, smarter, and far more accessible than ever before. We’re proud to be at the forefront, opening doors and creating opportunities that others haven’t even imagined yet,” said Vistasp Major, Director at ClickMyCruise. Adding to this, Vasundhara Gupta, Director at ClickMyCruise, shared, “In today’s travel industry, you need the right tech to stay ahead. Our portal gives agents everything they need from info to booking all in one spot. It’s a big boost for anyone looking to grow their cruise business.” Backed by direct partnerships with top cruise lines like MSC and Costa, ClickMyCruise’s new portal provides transparent pricing and instant booking, helping agents scale their sales efficiently. Agents interested in expanding their cruise offerings can register now at www.clickmycruise.com

Emphasising the importance of partnerships and relationships in India’s travel market, Tekla Maira, Founder, And The Story Continues, urged global stakeholders to prioritise accessibility, education, segmentation and regular engagement with Indian travel agents, especially for weddings and MICE.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), representing the hospitality industry across the country, has requested Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Finance Minister and Chairperson of the GST Council, for the rationalisation of GST in the tourism and hospitality sector. The appeal seeks to position Indian tourism as a driver of economic growth while enhancing its global competitiveness in alignment with India’s Vision 2047. FHRAI welcomed the landmark GST reforms announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on August 15, 2025, describing them as a reflection of the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s tax regime, simplifying compliance, and paving the way for sustained growth. Tourism has long been one of India’s most strategic growth pillars, contributing nearly five per cent to the nation’s GDP, with the potential to double this contribution if supported by conducive policy measures. It remains one of the largest employment generators, offering extensive opportunities for youth and women, and is recognised for its high multiplier effect, where every rupee invested in hospitality generates a return of 3.5 rupees in output, while one direct job in the sector creates an additional 3.2 indirect jobs. Despite this strong potential, India’s current GST structure makes the tourism sector less competitive compared to its Asian peers. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia operate under lower tax regimes, ranging between 6 and 10 per cent, which helps them attract significantly larger tourist inflows. In contrast, India’s higher GST structure reduces affordability and weakens its appeal for international travellers. FHRAI has therefore emphasised the need for uniformity and simplicity in GST to make tourism services more accessible and globally competitive. It has recommended the introduction …

Speaking about India’s progress in terms of offering sustainable travel, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, Former CEO of NITI Aayog, says, “In the last 15 years, railway electrification in India has jumped from 30% to a remarkable 99%. Now India stands second in the world, ahead of Japan, US, and Germany.”

The Finland–India Tourism Workshop 2025 concluded in New Delhi and Mumbai, bringing together 16 Finnish and Indian partners with India’s leading travel stakeholders. Sara Sodhi Juneja, Founder & CEO of Sara Consulting Services, said, “Indian travellers are looking beyond the ordinary, and Finland delivers on every front — pristine nature, authentic culture and unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime moments.”

Sharing an official statement amidst news reports around South African Tourism Board, Darryl Erasmus, Chief Operations Officer, South African Tourism, stated, “We note the recent reports regarding the ‘dissolution of the SA Tourism Board’ and understand the confusion this may have caused. To clarify, South African Tourism as an organisation/entity continues to operate as usual. The dissolution applies only to ‘the board’. While we await a resolution, our focus remains firmly on ensuring continuity across all tourism initiatives, projects, and partnerships, with no disruption to ongoing work.”  

Sopa Lodges, in partnership with Leo Sky Africa, is proud to introduce Astro Tourism – a visionary product that invites travellers to experience the night sky in a way that is immersive, educational and deeply rooted in cultural and environmental preservation. Set against Samburu’s pristine, unpolluted dark skies, this initiative goes far beyond stargazing. It celebrates nature’s forgotten wonders, honours indigenous celestial knowledge, and creates meaningful opportunities for community engagement. “It is a proud moment for us at Sopa Lodges to introduce our latest innovation – Astro Tourism,” said Kennedy Ayoti, Chief Operating Officer, Sopa Lodges East Africa. “This innovative experience is a game changer in the region, combining Samburu’s naturally dark skies with rich community narratives and cultural beliefs surrounding celestial events. We have invested time in research and staff training to ensure the experience is not only authentic but also expertly delivered to our guests. Samburu is already renowned for the iconic ‘Samburu special five – the reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, grevy’s zebra, and the Somali ostrich. With the introduction of Astro Tourism, Sopa Lodges now proudly offers a ‘special six’ – adding the stars to our unique wildlife and cultural encounters.” This launch marks a bold step towards diversifying Kenya’s tourism beyond traditional safaris, while empowering the Samburu community through cultural exchange, education, and sustainable economic development. It also aims to elevate the visibility of responsible tourism initiatives across Africa and beyond. “We are excited to unveil our latest offering – Astro Tourism here at the stunning Samburu Sopa Lodge, where the beauty of nature meets the wonder of the night sky,” said Rosemary Kuria, Director of Sales at Sopa Lodges. “This unique, immersive experience invites …

The Department of Tourism has launched its Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme at the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Rohan A Khaunte; Hon’ble MLA Bicholim and Chairman of Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd., Shri Chandrakant Shetye; Hon’ble MLA Mayem, Shri Premendra Shet; Secretary Tourism, Shri Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS; Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik; and Managing Director, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar at the PAC Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim. The launch aimed at promoting community-driven tourism, rural livelihoods, and experiential travel in Goa. The initiative is part of the state’s larger vision to diversify its tourism offerings beyond beaches and strengthen Goa’s positioning as a model for Regenerative Tourism in India. What was earlier conceptualized as a policy has now been reframed and strengthened as a scheme. The revised scheme offers a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, simplified registration processes, and quality classifications, making it easier and more rewarding for local residents to operate homestays in rural areas of the state, paving the way for boosting Rural and Hinterland Tourism in Goa. This scheme also holds the power to foster women and youth entrepreneurship, encouraging self-reliance while preserving our unique Goan heritage. Under the scheme, eligible establishments located in the talukas of Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim, Canacona, Ponda, and Quepem will receive a one-time grant of ₹2,00,000, along with access to marketing support, training, listing on Goa Tourism platforms, and subsidized participation in domestic trade fairs. The scheme will remain valid for five years and may be extended further by the Department. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant stated “The Homestay Scheme has been launched with a renewed focus on promoting the …

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. (ROHL) has announced the signing of their latest property at Bhopal, at the heart of Madhya Pradesh as its expansion in the Northern region. The strategic expansion aligns with the brand’s strategy of expanding in the less discovered and growing regions of India to boost tourism and hospitality in these smaller undiscovered destinations. Developed in association with Regenta Hotel Bhopal Airport, the 70-key resort will be operated under a management agreement. The property reflects ROHL’s asset-light model and its focus on offering guests an amazing stay. The new 70 key business hotel, including four spacious suites, is strategically situated on Airport Road, just 1 km from Raja Bhoj International Airport. With a built-up area of 56,000 sq ft, the brownfield property is designed to serve the evolving needs of modern business travellers and MICE clientele. It features three fully equipped conference rooms, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and wellness amenities such as a spa, swimming pool, and gym – creating a perfect balance of business efficiency and leisure comfort. Commenting on the signing, Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd., said, ” As we continue to grow our presence across India, cities like Bhopal play an important role in our journey, It’s a city on the rise, with a growing business landscape and a strong demand for quality hospitality. This new hotel is designed with today’s business traveller in mind, practical, comfortable, and well-connected. We’re proud to bring the Regenta experience to Bhopal in partnership with Sarla Builders & Developers and we eagerly await visitors looking for connectivity, comfort, and genuine hospitality” Bhopal – the capital city of Madhya Pradesh – is a vibrant administrative and …