Austria Tourism has been honoured with the Leading European Destination award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Christine Mukharji, Country Manager, Austrian National Tourist Office, said, “Austria is truly the flavour of the season. This award will enhance our visibility and attract even more Indian tourists, helping us showcase the beauty, offerings, and experiences Austria has to offer.”

India’s branded hotel signings saw a sharp rise this year till October, with keys increasing from 34,850 to 43,665, a 25 per cent jump, as per HVS ANAROCK. Properties signed grew from 359 to 408, up 14 per cent. Tier III and IV cities remained the biggest contributors, accounting for 43.8 per cent of total keys, highlighting strong nationwide expansion.

Travellers all over the world increasingly demand verified sustainability, not marketing claims. CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), said, “If a consumer sees GSTC certification, they know the hotel has been independently audited. Many are willing to pay more.” Certified hotels also report stronger repeat and referral business. Hotels applying GSTC criteria consistently notice lower operational expenditure. “Even a 1 per cent reduction in operational costs goes directly to the bottom line,” Ramkumar said.

The PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 is all set to take place from 1–3 December in Chiang Rai, Thailand, bringing together thought leaders and creative experts shaping Asia-Pacific destination branding. Held under the theme ‘Steeped in Tradition, Rooted in Wellness,’ the forum will explore wellness tourism, hyper-local experiences, cultural heritage, technology and destination reinvention. Designed to empower emerging destinations, the three-day event blends local immersion with practical sessions to help them grow into globally recognised tourism hubs.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) received the ‘Best State – Tourism Board’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director – Events and Marketing, MPTB, said, “We are proud and honoured to receive this award. It motivates our team to enhance tourism, increase visitor footfall, and strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s offerings, taking us to new levels of excellence.”

According to Agoda’s latest report, 91% of Indian travellers would explore new destinations if visa barriers were eased, underscoring the role of accessibility in travel decisions. With 61% respondents eyeing destinations that currently require visas, simplified entry processes, better connectivity, and digital innovations could open up secondary cities and lesser-known regions, transforming India’s outbound travel patterns.

Narendra Singh Rathore, President, Tourist Guides Federation of India (TGFI), highlighted shortages of trained tourist guides in Maharashtra, Gujarat, South, and East India. “Centralised training post-2017 reduced local applications. We request the ministry to restart station-based, area-specific training programmes, as online courses are insufficient and fail to match local demand,” he said.

IHCL reported strong growth with the company’s H1 FY2026 revenue reaching ₹4,226 crore, up 21% year-on-year. Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, said, IHCL now has 591 hotels and 319 in the pipeline, adding 26 new properties this fiscal. He noted 9% domestic and 11% international RevPAR growth, reflecting sustained demand across markets.

The Competent Authority has approved the assignment of additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, to Vivek Aggarwal, IAS (MP:1994), who currently serves as Secretary, Ministry of Culture. He will hold this role with immediate effect until the joining of Srivatsa Krishna, IAS (KN:1994), or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

The Mayor of Singleton, Sue Moore, will highlight the best of Hunter Valley – from vineyard escapes and hot-air balloon rides to unforgettable countryside adventures – at this exclusive webinar on Nov 28, 2025 at 11.30AM IST presented by Turtle Down Under. Three lucky winners stand a chance to win Amazon vouchers by filling out the live survey during the session. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.