Hilton has announced the signing of its flagship Hilton brand in Gurugram, part of India’s National Capital Region (NCR). In partnership with Baani Group, Hilton will develop the Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre, set to open in late 2024. With 26 hotels currently in operation and 22 more in development, Hilton aims to expand its presence in India to 75 hotels in the coming years, reinforcing its leadership in the Indian hospitality market.

Kerala is preparing for the 12th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2024) from 26-29 September 2024, expecting its largest turnout. So far, 592 foreign buyers from 71 countries have registered. Notably, buyers from 27 countries, including China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, will attend for the first time at Asia’s largest tourism event.  

According to JLL, the Jan-March quarter saw 90 branded hotel signings with 9,710 rooms. 13 hotels were conversions, making up 12% of the inventory. Focus was on tier II and III cities, with 75% of the 2,316 keys from 36 hotel openings in Jaipur, Indore, Surat, Ayodhya, and others. 

VisitBritain’s latest inbound tourism forecast estimates £32.5 billion will be spent by international visitors in the UK this year, up 5% on 2023, and up 14% on 2019. Looking at visits to the UK, 38.7 million visits are forecast, up 2% on the 38.0 million seen in 2023 however still 5% shy of 2019 levels. 

Gyan Bhushan, IES – Senior Economic Advisor, MOT said, “As India continues to assert its position as a premier global travel destination, fostering collaborations and partnerships within the tourism sector is imperative for realizing its vast potential. By facilitating direct engagement between GCC buyers and Indian tourism stakeholders, not only opens new avenues for collaboration but also lays a robust foundation for sustainable tourism growth.”  

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with NILE Hospitality for growing its mid-scale brand Park Inn & Suites by Radisson in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This move comes as part of the Group’s robust expansion strategy, driven by the growing demand for quality hospitality experiences in tier 2 to tier 5 cities of India. Under this partnership, NILE Hospitality will be responsible for growing the Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Gujarat boasts higher industrial activities along with tourist and pilgrimage destinations such as Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Dharoi, and Kutch, presenting an excellent business opportunity while helping the tourism boost in the region. Rajasthan being a culturally rich, heritage destination with historical forts, palaces, art, and culture makes it an interesting tourism destination for travelers. Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand positions itself as a smart hotel investment opportunity, with a clear focus on value maximization for its stakeholders. By offering a conversion-friendly model tailored for the Indian market, the brand adds to the diversity of Radisson Hotel Group’s offerings in the country. On the consumer front, the essence of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson is centered around “Inviting Modern Comfort” ensuring that guests feel welcome, valued, and well-cared for. With an average size of 50 to 70 keys, hotels under the brand will be equipped with inviting social spaces, a welcome corner, a fitness center, services like free WiFi, and signature breakfast options for delivering a holistic experience to guests. “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with NILE Hospitality to strengthen our presence in western and northwestern India. Tailored for the Indian market, Park Inn & Suites …

India and the UK have updated their air service agreement, allowing airlines to add 14 weekly flights between London Heathrow, Delhi, and Mumbai, enhancing connectivity. Both sides can now operate 70 flights per week between Heathrow and Delhi & Mumbai. Previously, only 56 flights were allowed.

On the occasion of 92nd Anniversary of EgyptAir, Amr Ali, Country Manager, EgyptAir, said, “Indian market is very crucial to us but instead of expanding we are focusing to stabilise the current operations in India. We will continue to monitor the Indian market and the traffic between India – Egypt and will introduce new routes at right time. Currently, our aim is to increase the traffic between Cairo and Delhi and enhance the options of cultural tourism, beach tourism, and wedding tourism between the two countries.”  

Akasa Air Co-Founder Aditya Ghosh said, “If you convert one day’s rail traffic to air, India would need 500 more aircraft. To maintain current growth, India will need 75 more planes next year. The US has 1,400 airports, while India has only 150-200, highlighting the immense potential and need to double the number of airports in India.”  

According to a study by Amadeus, corporate travel managers plan to invest 13% more in technology than they did in 2023, while Business Travel Agencies, Online Travel Agencies and Leisure Travel Agencies plan similar changes. On average, payments leaders intend to increase investment by 12% over the coming 12 months. Airports, however, intend to increase technology investment by 17%, which is larger than any other area of the travel industry covered by the study.