INDEVA Hotels & Resorts, a unit of India Expo Mart Limited (IEML), has signed a management agreement with Royal Estcon Pvt. Ltd. to operate a new property under its “The Mor Stays” brand in the Delhi NCR region. The signing marks another milestone in INDEVA’s growing portfolio of smart, affordable hotels designed for the modern traveller. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML, Mr Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Director, IEML, Mr Barun Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, INDEVA Hotels & Resorts, and Mr Shubham Nagar, Director, Royal Estcon Pvt. Ltd. This collaboration represents a strategic step in strengthening INDEVA’s presence in the budget and mid-scale hospitality segment across Delhi NCR, addressing the growing demand for high-quality, affordable accommodation. Strategically located to serve both business and leisure travellers, the upcoming property will feature 30 well-appointed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a banquet facility, offering exceptional comfort and convenience at value-driven prices. The Mor Stays, a budget hotel brand by INDEVA Hotels & Resorts, is designed for the modern traveller — blending efficiency, contemporary design, and warm hospitality to redefine the economy hotel experience in India. Speaking on the occasion, the leadership teams from both INDEVA Hotels & Resorts and Royal Estcon Pvt. Ltd. expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting shared values of quality, innovation, and guest satisfaction. This signing reinforces INDEVA’s vision of building a robust network of luxury to budget-friendly hotels across key destinations in India and beyond, offering guests consistent quality and dependable hospitality under The Mor Stays brand.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), has launched the Beyond Tourism initiative — a global, multi-sector effort aimed at shaping the future of travel and tourism. Developed around ten core principles, the initiative underscores tourism’s vital role as a bridge between cultures, a driver of community empowerment, and a source of opportunity for future generations. Beyond Tourism seeks to establish a new framework for the industry, encouraging collaboration across governments, private sectors, and civil society to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. Positioned as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to contribute to global tourism leadership, the Beyond Tourism initiative aligns with broader goals to strengthen cross-cultural connections and ensure the long-term resilience of the sector.

Mumbai, November 2025: Salford City FC, co-owned by football legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, will visit India this month as part of the club’s first-ever expansion into the Asian market. The visit marks a strategic step for the English club, which aims to strengthen its fan engagement and global footprint through its partnership with DreamSetGo. The initiative represents Salford City’s first structured outreach in Asia and aligns with the club’s long-term vision to grow its international presence. The collaboration focuses on bringing the club closer to Indian football fans and exploring opportunities for community engagement and sports tourism. Salford City FC currently competes in EFL League Two, England’s third division, and continues to build its brand as a modern, community-driven football club with global ambitions. The partnership with DreamSetGo is expected to enhance its visibility among Indian audiences and contribute to the growing momentum of football’s popularity in the country.

Minor Hotels has appointed Christoph Dueker as Cluster General Manager for Anantara Kalutara Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort, effective September 2025. Bringing over two decades of international hospitality experience, Christoph will oversee operations at the two sister properties located along Sri Lanka’s scenic southwest coast. With more than 20 years of global experience, Christoph has worked with some of the world’s leading luxury and lifestyle hotel brands across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Having begun his career with Four Seasons, he has since held senior management positions with Park Hyatt, Shangri-La, and Marina Bay Sands, among others. His leadership combines strong commercial acumen with a genuine passion for people and place, creating hotels that are both high-performing and deeply rooted in their local communities. His focus on guest-centric innovation, destination-inspired design, and meaningful community engagement has consistently translated into elevated experiences and sustainable performance. Commenting on his appointment, Christoph Dueker said, “I’m truly excited to be in Sri Lanka and to work with the talented teams at Anantara and Avani Kalutara. Both resorts have distinctive personalities: one a peaceful Sir Geoffrey Bawa–inspired luxury sanctuary, the other a vibrant lifestyle beach escape. My focus will be on strengthening their individual character while deepening their connection to this beautiful destination.” Nicholas Smith, Vice President Operations – Asia, Minor Hotels, added, “We are delighted to welcome Christoph to this pivotal leadership role in Sri Lanka. His global experience and commitment to thoughtful innovation will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the distinct positioning of our resorts. With a sharpened focus on destination awareness and sustainability, Christoph is well-placed to lead the next phase of growth for our properties in Kalutara.” Nestled between …

VFS Global Academy, the education and skilling arm of VFS Global, has launched a community upskilling initiative to empower local staff at the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. The programme aims to enrich eco-tourism experiences while creating sustainable livelihoods, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to skill development within India’s travel and tourism sector. The initiative follows a detailed assessment by VFS Global Academy that identified the need for structured training to improve service quality and visitor engagement. It seeks to position Debrigarh as a model for community-driven sustainable tourism, where conservation and livelihood creation go hand in hand. According to Anshu Pragyan Das, Divisional Forest Officer, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, “Our partnership with VFS Global Academy focuses on enhancing community participation in eco-tourism by upgrading skills in hospitality, language, etiquette, teamwork, and naturalist training for educational tours. Over 70 community members, including facility managers, safari drivers, eco-guides, boatmen, and naturalists, will benefit from this programme.” The training combines technical learning with grooming, communication, and customer service excellence, aligning participants with industry standards and eco-tourism values. S M Bondar, District Magistrate and Collector, Sambalpur, said, “This tie-up with VFS Global Academy gives sanctuary staff the opportunity to upskill, adopt best practices, and raise service standards at Debrigarh. It will enhance visitor experiences and strengthen the sanctuary’s reputation as a leading eco-tourism destination.” The programme will include peer feedback, supervisor evaluations, and recap sessions. Top performers from each department will earn internships at a luxury hotel in Bhubaneswar, gaining first-hand exposure to five-star hospitality and future career pathways. Delighted with the collaboration, Amit Saincher, Head, VFS Global Academy, said, “By training the local community in hospitality, we aim to enhance visitor experiences and create …

The Project Sunrise, touted as the groundbreaking first step in non-stop flights between Australia and London and New York, has reached its first production milestone. Qantas is set to take a major step in transforming long-haul travel with its Sunrise Project. The recently released first images of the A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) aircraft, developed with Airbus, mark the completion of its initial production phase — bringing non-stop flights between Australia, London, and New York closer to reality. The Sunrise Project takes its name from the historic “Double Sunrise” endurance flights operated during the Second World War. The aircraft will be moved to a new hangar this week, where engines and flight test instruments will be installed ahead of a comprehensive test flight programme in 2026. These A350-1000ULRs have been specially configured for the world’s longest commercial flights, connecting Australia’s east coast non-stop with London and New York — a new milestone in air travel. The aircraft features an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank with advanced systems, making the non-stop 22-hour flight possible. Every element has been specifically designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind — a non-negotiable for long-haul journeys. The project will also cut up to four hours from travel time on one of the longest air routes in operation. Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said the progress brings Project Sunrise one step closer to reality. “Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers. Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world,” said Ms Hudson. She added, “These flights will cut up to four hours …

Anantara brings its signature experience-driven luxury to Argentina with a landmark resort in the heart of Patagonia — combining sustainable design with destination-inspired hospitality. Bangkok, Thailand – 6 November 2025: Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner, operator, and investor, has announced the upcoming development of Anantara Ushuaia Patagonia Resort in Ushuaia, Argentina. Scheduled to open in early 2026, the property will occupy a spectacular location at the world’s southernmost city, where the Andes Mountains descend toward the icy expanse of the Beagle Channel. Nestled within Ushuaia’s Costa Susana master plan, in close proximity to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the new-build waterfront resort will offer 60 luxurious guest rooms and suites, an extensive spa and wellness facility at sea level, signature dining concepts and meeting facilities. True to Anantara’s experiential DNA, the property will immerse guests in transformative and locally anchored experiences – while remaining deeply committed to environmental preservation. The Costa Susana development has been selected to participate in the World Architecture Festival’s Landscape and Environment category – Argentina’s first such nomination – and proudly stands as the first carbon-neutral real estate development in the country. The hotel management agreement is with Fideicomiso Urbanización Monte Susana, an Argentinean development group consisting of two partners with over 20 years of experience in real estate development, specialised in the creation of residential projects in the Ushuaia and the Tierra del Fuego region. “Ushuaia, often called the ‘End of the World,’ is the gateway to Antarctica and a breathtaking destination in its own right,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International. “Bringing Anantara to South America is a key priority for the Group, and we are …

A new study, India Consumer Profile 2024, by Experience Kissimmee has revealed that Indian travellers are showing strong and growing interest in Central Florida, highlighting the destination’s increasing appeal among one of the world’s fastest-expanding outbound travel markets. According to the research, the average Indian visitor to the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford area in 2024 was aged between 35 and 39 and most often travelled solo (70%) or with family and friends (18.6%). Families with young children represented nearly a third of the market, with trips typically planned three months in advance. Sightseeing (93%), shopping (82%), and theme parks (56%) ranked as the most popular activities, with almost a quarter of visitors also extending their itineraries to include Miami. On average, Indian travellers stayed in Florida for 31 nights, spending about $4,339 per trip and $5,838 per travel party. Digital influence emerged as a major factor in travel planning, with YouTube (95%), Instagram (92%), and Facebook (89%) driving inspiration through user-generated content and peer recommendations. In terms of accommodation, 85% of travellers chose hotels or motels, while 8% preferred vacation homes. More than half rented cars during their stay, and nearly a third took domestic flights within the U.S. The study also revealed that the average household income of Indian visitors was $49,387, with over half earning above $60,000 annually. Florida ranked as the third most desired U.S. state among Indian travellers, with peak interest recorded in January and May. Experience Kissimmee officials said the findings reinforce Central Florida’s reputation as a destination that offers “connection, comfort, and memorable adventures,” aligning perfectly with the preferences of Indian travellers seeking immersive, family-oriented, and experience-driven holidays.