Saudia received multiple accolades in the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards and the Onboard Hospitality Awards, presented on the sidelines of the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo 2025 held in Hamburg, Germany. Saudia’s new ELIE SAAB premium amenity kit collection has earned Gold Awards from the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards for Business Class: The Middle East, First Class: Unisex Kit Middle East, and Business Class: Amenity Kit Program for the Rest of the World. This collaboration with lifestyle brand ELIE SAAB marks their debut in aviation luxury, bringing celebrated elegance exclusively to Saudia’s first and business class guests. The kits captivated judges and guests alike with their sophisticated design and luxurious contents. Moreover, Saudia’s exquisite Saudi Coffee Cup initiative was recognised with a Gold Award for First Class Glassware. This initiative features handcrafted cups representing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions. It reflects Saudia’s dedication to infusing cultural elements into its service offerings while maintaining world-class standards. Further reinforcing its status as a leader in guest comfort and innovation, Saudia was also awarded the prestigious TravelPlus Passenger Amenities Five Star Rating 2025, an honour shared by only five airlines globally this year. The Onboard Hospitality Awards also acknowledged Saudia’s innovative approach by awarding a highly commended recognition in the Best Service Equipment: Crew category for the airline’s new cabin crew uniforms. This award reflects style as well as functionality designed to enhance service delivery onboard. Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer, Saudia, said, “These awards are more than just trophies; they represent our relentless pursuit of excellence across all aspects of our guest experience at Saudia. From our pioneering collaboration with ELIE SAAB to the culturally rich Saudi Coffee Cup initiative …

Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said, “We are pushing strongly into the MICE segment with our Bid Fund Program, offering financial incentives for corporate groups, in ties with state convention bureaus. Our aim is to take this momentum further by targeting 5 lakh Indian visitors by 2026.”

Strengthening its footprint in the Indian market, Vietnam Airlines launched direct flight from Hyderabad to Hanoi. The new nonstop service will operate three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager – India, Vietnam Airlines, said, “India continues to be a key growth region for us.”

Chairing a meeting, PA Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister, Kerala decided to complete around 100 tourism projects at the initiative of the Tourism Dept this year. He directed the officials to complete the current projects in a systematic and timely manner. Discussions were held on the ongoing projects and those in the pipeline.

To support tourists stranded due to the ongoing disruption of flights from Ladakh, the All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association has decided to provide complimentary stays to guests at the hotels where they have been staying. It calls upon its member hotels and guest houses to support the measure.

Vietnam Airlines launched direct flights from Hyderabad to Hanoi, starting 7th May 2025. This marks the airline’s fourth gateway in India — following Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The new nonstop service will operate three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. To commemorate the inaugural flight, a celebratory event was held at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, featuring traditional welcome ceremonies and a ribbon-cutting to mark the arrival of the maiden Vietnam Airlines flight. Passengers were greeted with souvenirs and a warm reception. The airline also organised a special networking luncheon at ITC Kohenur, for key travel agents and industry stakeholders from Hyderabad. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager, India, Vietnam Airlines, said, “India continues to be a key growth region for Vietnam Airlines, and we are excited to commence direct flights from Hyderabad. Hyderabad serves as an important gateway to southern India. Following our growing presence in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, this launch further reinforces our network expansion across the country and strengthens our commitment to enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and India.” With this launch, Vietnam Airlines continues to build lasting bridges between India and Vietnam, boosting bilateral tourism and providing travellers with world-class connectivity and comfort. “As the GSA of Vietnam Airlines in India, we are proud to support their expansion plans across Indian cities, with Hyderabad being one of the newest additions to our growing network. We are confident that this route will create new opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural exchange between India and Vietnam,” said Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director, Aeroprime Group. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital serves as an excellent gateway to explore the country’s natural wonders such as Ha Long Bay, Sapa, and Ninh …

Maldivian announced the launch of direct flights from Bangalore to Hanimaadhoo, commencing 15th May 2025. This new connection offers Indian travellers’ direct access to the pristine islands of the northern Maldives—an untouched paradise waiting to be explored. With return fares starting from just USD 337, this direct route makes it easier and more affordable than ever for Indian tourists, honeymooners, and adventure seekers to discover the Maldives beyond the traditional resorts. The northern atolls, known for their serene lagoons, local island charm, and diving hotspots, offer a more authentic and peaceful Maldivian experience. Hanimaadhoo, located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is home to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled islands in the country. The region is perfect for those seeking a quiet island escape, community-based tourism, and sustainable travel experiences. This direct service eliminates the need for a domestic transfer from Malé, allowing travellers to reach their destination faster and more conveniently. Whether it is a weekend getaway or a longer tropical retreat, the new route offers a convenient connection from the heart of South India to one of the Maldives’ best-kept secrets. Bookings are now open and available via Maldivian’s official website, mobile app, and travel partners across India.

According to Tourism Economics, global cruise deployment increased by 25% from 2019-2024, with a 5% expansion in 2025. The Caribbean, Europe, and Asia-Pacific lead in deployment, while the Middle East has seen a significant 125% rise in average cruise days spent in the region. This growth highlights the ongoing expansion and popularity of global cruise markets.

Samual Machado, MD, India & South Asia, Sabre Travel Solutions, has said that Sabre brings a lot of value for their customers. “Going forward, our focus will be to become a multi-source platform, which has everything available for travel consumer ecosystem like OTAs or agencies on one side and on the other side, there are enough layers of artificial intelligence which allows customers to consume the content in the most efficient manner,” he said.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General of Tourism, said, “A unified national strategy, skilled talent, digital tools and strong state-led promotion can propel us into the top five MICE markets by 2025.” While India already has the necessary infrastructure and market demand, he pointed out that the real challenge lies in coordination. Billa emphasised the need for city-level convention promotion bureaus, a strong national MICE brand, skill development academies and a seamless digital portal.