Rohit Khosla. Executive Vice President – Operations, North and West India, IHCL said that tigers are Madhya Pradesh’s specialty and a key driver of tourism. The company currently operates nine hotels in MP, including Bhopal and Indore, has signed an MoU for six more, and plans to add 11 more hotels while preserving the state’s history, nature, and wildlife. 

Tripura Tourism will receive an additional ₹150 crore from the Central government for tourism development, announced Sushanta Chowdhury, Tourism Minister. The funding will support projects like beautifying tourist spots, establishing rural homestays, and upgrading heritage site amenities. The state government is actively seeking investments to boost tourism and enhance visitor experiences. 

Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal- SriLankan Airlines, called Ramayana Trail a game changer. The airline curated an authentic Ramayana experience, attracting strong interest. A recent Chennai-Colombo group had 190 passengers, with numbers expected to grow significantly between April and June, reflecting rising demand for religious tourism.

India’s industrial output, growing at 5.7% to 7%, will drive the expansion of the MICE sector, said Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebix Travel Group. “Higher industrial output enhances manpower quality, leading to more rewards and recognition programmes, which will in turn fuel outbound MICE travel. As industrial output rises, so will MICE travel overseas. Meetings and incentives from India are set to become the world’s largest market,” he added.

Madhya Pradesh is planning to set up a spiritual city in Ujjain ahead of Simhastha Kumbh 2028, state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced. “The plan to set up a spiritual city spanning around 3,300 hectares in Ujjain is being approved,” he said. The chief minister also stated that the state government is implementing investor-friendly policies to attract private investments across all sectors, including tourism.

IATA reported a 10% year-on-year rise in global traffic for January 2025, marking a return to double-digit growth after seven months. Capacity increased 7.1%, while load factor hit a record 82.1%. IATA director general Willie Walsh stated, “We’ve seen a notable acceleration in demand this January, with a particularly strong performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Traditionally dominated by travellers from the U.K., U.S., and France, Kerala’s Tourism Department is now exploring untapped markets. In a significant move, a meeting was held with Russian authorities to facilitate a chartered flight from Russia to Kerala. While the discussions showed promise, logistical hurdles such as a shortage of Boeing aircraft in Russia remain a concern. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to attract Russian tourists, especially considering the growing number of Russians traveling to destinations like Turkey and the UAE due to restrictions imposed by European countries.

WTTC recently unveiled a report highlighting the gap between travellers’ desire for sustainability and their actual behaviour. According to the report, cost and quality remain top priorities, with over 50% prioritising cost. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, stated, “Travellers care about sustainability, but cost and quality are king. Businesses must offer affordable sustainable options to inspire change.”

Lufthansa Group’s integration with ITA Airways brings seamless benefits for travellers. Frequent flyer programs are now interchangeable, lounge access expands across 130 locations, and codeshare flights offer over 100 new connections. From March 30, 2025, ITA Airways will also move to Lufthansa’s terminals in Frankfurt and Munich for smoother transfers.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, announced that the Government of India has sanctioned ₹3295.76 crore for 40 projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. These projects aim to develop iconic tourist centres globally, with guidelines issued for evaluation and submission, and to enhance branding and marketing efforts