Fiji is redefining sustainable tourism with the launch of Loloma Hour, a first-of-its-kind initiative that invites visitors to spend an hour making a positive environmental, cultural, or community impact during their stay. Dubbed a ‘happy hour for the environment,’ Loloma Hour embodies the Fijian spirit of Loloma—acting with generosity, driven by love. Whether planting coral, restoring mangroves, or engaging in cultural traditions, travellers can leave a positive mark on Fiji while experiencing its unique way of life. New approach to sustainable travel Tourism Fiji created the ‘Loloma Hour’ initiative as part of the country’s overarching sustainability goals that aim to preserve its natural beauty and cultural heritage by unifying and amplifying sustainability efforts across Fiji’s vital tourism industry. With travellers becoming more conscious of their environmental and social impact, Loloma Hour positions Fiji as a leader in sustainable tourism. The initiative not only enhances Fiji’s appeal to eco-conscious travellers but also strengthens its reputation as a destination that prioritises cultural and environmental stewardship. “True happiness comes not just from what you take, but what you give,” says Srishti Narayan, Chief Marketing Officer, Tourism Fiji. “Loloma Hour gives visitors a chance to help preserve what makes Fiji so special—its people, environment, and traditions,” she added. How it works Visitors can take part in Loloma Hour through partnering resorts, hotels, and tour operators across Fiji, with activities spanning four key pillars: Giving Back to Wildlife: Conservation walks, marine research, and species protection Giving Back to the Community: Cultural storytelling, traditional weaving, and village programmes Giving Back to the Reef: Coral planting, reef restoration, and marine habitat building Giving Back to the Coastline: Mangrove planting, tree restoration, and beach cleanups Participating resorts Leading …

SriLankan Airlines concluded a humanitarian relief mission to Myanmar on 5 April 2025, undertaken at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka. The operation involved the transportation of 26 relief personnel and a consignment of essential relief equipment, including urgently needed medical supplies. Despite significant logistical challenges and time constraints, the SriLankan Airlines team responded with exceptional professionalism and commitment. The mission was planned and executed at short notice following the formal request from the Ministry of Defense. Coordinating with multiple stakeholders under considerable constraints was no easy feat, but the seamless collaboration of all parties involved ensured a safe and timely operation. SriLankan Airlines extends its sincere appreciation to the Secretary of Defense and his team for their unwavering support and cooperation, which was instrumental in the success of this effort. This mission stands as yet another testament to SriLankan Airlines’ continued commitment to humanitarian causes, both at home and abroad, reaffirming its role not only as Sri Lanka’s National Carrier, but also as a proud partner in serving humanity worldwide in times of need.  

LOT Polish Airlines completed the renovation of the Polonez Business Lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The renovated space is now available to authorised passengers, departing from Warsaw. With this comprehensive transformation, LOT elevates its service standards, offering greater comfort tailored to the needs of all travellers. The lounge provides an ideal setting before the next stage of their journey. The refurbishment aligns with the national carrier’s strategic goals for 2024-2028. “We aimed to create a space that not only meets the highest standards of comfort but also redefines the travel experience for passengers who value modernity, exclusivity and a premium atmosphere. The LOT Business Lounge Polonez now combines elegance with functionality offering more space, innovative solutions and carefully selected amenities that enable both relaxation and productivity. We wanted every guest to feel special and experience Polish hospitality at the very heart of our connecting hub, Warsaw Chopin Airport. We are delighted to welcome guests to our LOT Business Lounge Polonez,” said Izabela Leszczyńska, Director, Product Development and Customer Experience, LOT Polish Airlines. A major advantage of the redesigned interior is the expanded usable space the Polonez Lounge now offers over 860 m² for guests, following a 153 m² expansion. As a result, the LOT Polish Airlines lounge offers more than 60 additional seats. New features in the expanded section include a self-service bar and a conference room, equipped with a screen and electrical outlets. Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT is a unique relaxation space where passengers can enjoy premium skincare treatments. The beauty salon is a rare service available in only a handful of business lounges worldwide, making LOT Business Lounge Polonez truly stand out. Relax Spot by Phenomé …

Ticketing and distribution authority Hahnair celebrates the addition of 8 new partner airlines in the first quarter of 2025. With this extensive technology infrastructure, Hahnair enables partner carriers to sell tickets through more than 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets. “This remarkable growth is a testament to the value airlines can gain from a partnership with Hahnair,” says Adriana C. Carrelli, Vice President, Airline Business. “With more than 25 years of sales expertise, we offer reliable and cost-effective solutions which bring immediate business results. Our partner airlines benefit from expanded market reach, simplified indirect distribution and interline opportunities with our network of over 350 partner airlines.” “We are pleased to offer travel consultants around the world a wealth of additional ticketing choices,” adds Kimberley Long, Vice President, Agency Distribution, Hahnair. “With easy access to millions of flights on the Hahnair HR-169 ticket stock, we are ensuring business growth for our travel agency partners while supporting them through our 24/7 service desk, free refund service and free insolvency protection with each ticket.” Available in selected GDSs under their own IATA code Air Rarotonga (GZ), Cook Islands EuroAtlanticAirways (YU), Portugal Eurowings (EW), Germany (market restrictions apply) My Freighter, operating under the trade name Centrum Air (C6), Uzbekistan Wideroe (WF), Norway Available in all major GDSs under the code X1 Aero Dili, (8G), Timor Leste LIAT 20 (5L), Antigua and Babuda My Freighter, operating under the trade name Centrum Air (C6), Uzbekistan  Available in all major GDSs under the code H1 BermudAir (2T), Bermuda Travel consultants can easily verify the availability of Hahnair’s partner airlines in their respective markets by utilising the ‘Quick Check’ tool on hahnair.com.

Indian Millennials took an average of 3.5 international trips in the past three years, making them the most travelled generation, according to MMGY. Meanwhile, Gen Z travellers are setting the pace for future spending, with a 14.2% projected increase in travel budgets, indicating that younger Indians are prioritising travel.

Aloke Singh, MD, Air India Express, said Indian carriers’ capасity is set to outpace demand, potentially leading to lower fares. The airline will add about 15 aircraft in the 2025-26 fiscal year. This 45% capacity increase is expected to raise monthly passenger numbers to 2.5 million from 2 million next year.

According to a report by Phocuswright, Indian OTAs are exploring new revenue streams by offering travel ancillaries and white-label solutions to banks, retailers and loyalty programmes. As more non-travel brands enter the space, OTAs are enabling easy integration through plug-and-play systems.

As India rapidly climbs the global ranks in adventure tourism from 99th to 38th position, ensuring safety and sustainability has never been more critical. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), in its impactful webinar titled ‘Safety First: Risk Mitigation in Adventure & Outdoor Tourism,’ laid down a clear path for the sector’s growth, grounded in preparedness, accountability and responsible practices. The session, held on 4 April, 2025, brought together key voices from the industry to chart a course toward safer, more resilient adventure tourism in India. With a vision of reaching the global top 10 in adventure tourism by 2034, ATOAI underlined that the sector’s promising growth must be supported by robust infrastructure, trained professionals, internationally certified equipment, highly trained adventure guides, safety standards, strong regulatory framework and Standard Operating Procedures. Delivering the keynote address, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, reiterated the sector’s shared responsibility to uphold safety as a non-negotiable pillar. He stressed the urgent need for a cultural shift where safety, sustainability and standardisation go hand in hand with growth. “India is rising fast in global rankings. But with that rise comes a duty—to protect lives, build trust and set benchmarks,” Bajaj said. The webinar featured distinguished panellists who addressed the sector’s most pressing challenges and actionable solutions: Shantanu Pandit, Consultant, EKO India, emphasised that risk management is not a checklist but a process. He advocated for realistic risk assessments, ‘activity mapping,’ SOPs and training to embed a culture of prevention and preparedness at every level. Navita Shyam, Alpine Adventures Trail Tours, focused on medical readiness as a shared responsibility between operators and tourists. She highlighted the ‘3 Ps’—Plan, Prepare, Practice—and called for improved first-aid training, wilderness …

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism has introduced a new policy to support homestays across the state. Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona said, “We will give incentives to homestays that are running well.” The government is also partnering with platforms like Airbnb and MakeMyTrip to increase bookings, he added.

The Utah Office of Tourism has appointed Tera Atwood as its new Global Markets Specialist, marking a significant step in strengthening Utah’s presence in key international markets, with a dedicated focus on India. With international travel from India on the rise, Atwood’s role will focus on increasing Utah’s visibility among Indian travellers, strengthening travel trade relationships, and developing targeted campaigns to position Utah as a must-visit U.S. destination. Tera Atwood brings extensive expertise in tourism and destination marketing, and she is eager to engage with the rapidly growing Indian travel market. Sharing her enthusiasm, Atwood said, “I have always been captivated by India’s rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and incredible diversity. With a rapidly growing economy, an expanding global influence, and a diverse community of travellers seeking new experiences, India is an exciting and dynamic market to engage with. My key priority is to position Utah as a premier destination for Indian travellers. By showcasing our iconic landscapes, world-class adventures, and luxury experiences, Utah is the perfect place to satisfy the craving for unforgettable international travel.” The Utah Office of Tourism continues to see a rise in international visitors. In 2024, Utah surpassed 2019 visitor spending and visitation levels, with tourism contributing over USD 12 billion in visitor spending in 2023. Indian travellers alone spent USD 16.7 million in Utah last year, making India one of the fastest-growing visitor markets for the state. With visitor spending from India projected to grow by over 200 per cent from 2019 to 2028, Utah is committed to expanding its brand presence and engagement in the region. With a strong focus on market expansion, Atwood aims to strengthen trade partnerships, enhance media engagement, and develop strategic campaigns …