Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, emphasised the need for public-private partnerships to drive destination marketing at state and national levels. “States can support the industry by incentivising international films and collaborations to showcase destinations globally,” he said.

Mandeep Lamba, President, South Asia, HVS, stressed the need for infrastructure status in the hospitality industry. He said “Infrastructure status is the first requirement for hospitality, as it enables access to long-term financing. Hotels are a highly capital-intensive business.” This move would drive investment and sectoral growth.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said, “One of the targets we could perhaps place for ourselves is how to double tourism’s GDP contribution from 5% to 10% in the next ten years and probably add 25 million jobs in the next five years.” He emphasised the need for strategic efforts to achieve this growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I urge stakeholders to invest in promoting health tourism and take advantage of the opportunities. We must also fully tap into the potential of yoga and wellness tourism. There is immense scope in education tourism and I hope for in-depth discussions and the development of a strong roadmap.”

SriLankan Airlines will be introducing wireless in-flight entertainment on select narrow-body A320 aircraft, enabling passengers to seamlessly stream content on their own devices. The new technology means that passengers on certain short-haul flights can now experience a greater degree of personalisation and convenience, while enjoying their favourite movies, music and more onboard. Maria Sathasivam, Manager, Product Development, SriLankan Airlines, commented on this latest product enhancement, stating, “We are excited to make our award-winning onboard entertainment content even more accessible to our loyal customers. Wireless entertainment is emerging as a game-changer in the industry, offering multiple advantages for both customers and airlines. As an airline that embraces innovation, with passenger experience at the heart of everything we do, it is a natural step for SriLankan Airlines to join the ranks of global carriers offering wireless in-flight entertainment.” Passengers can use their smartphones, tablets or laptops to access and stream on-demand content onboard via the airline’s Wi-Fi network, SkyPlus, without the need for seatback screens. Powered by the wireless streaming solution, Everhub, passengers are instantly connected to SriLankan’s in-flight entertainment system, featuring an expertly curated library with something for everyone. From the latest Hollywood blockbusters to regional favourites, the library contains hours of movies and TV shows in a variety of languages and genres, including action, comedy, drama, adventure, kids, musical and sports. Passengers can also enjoy over 100 handpicked audio albums, featuring music for every listener, from international hits to local classics. Winner of the prestigious 2025 APEX Best Entertainment Award in Central/Southern Asia based on certified passenger feedback, SriLankan Airlines’ in-flight entertainment is also about to become more environmentally friendly by going wireless. Wireless entertainment systems are lightweight, contributing to …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with content creator Prajakta Koli to launch an exclusive, influencer-curated itinerary designed to offer Indian travellers an overview of the emirate’s award-winning attractions and inspiring experiences. Unveiled at an event in Mumbai attended by the media and trade partners, the collaboration seeks to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering – including new experiences such as teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and Surf Abu Dhabi – empowering travel professionals to optimise their packages. Prajakta Koli is one of India’s most influential content creators, celebrated for her relatable and humorous storytelling that resonates with over 17 million followers across platforms. Known by her online persona ‘MostlySane’, she has gained widespread acclaim for creating engaging content spanning comedy, lifestyle and travel. Koli’s itineraries highlight Abu Dhabi’s versatility as a destination for short breaks, luxurious retreats, family vacations, and culturally immersive holidays alike. By putting the spotlight on the emirate’s appeal as both a standalone holiday destination and an ideal stopover, supported by Koli’s unique perspective as a content creator, the campaign targets various traveller segments such as families, couples, luxury seekers, millennial adventurers, and culture enthusiasts. During the event, travel agents were introduced to Abu Dhabi’s latest offerings, providing fresh opportunities to craft updated itineraries spanning three to five nights. The engagement also served as a platform for knowledge sharing, enabling industry stakeholders to deepen their understanding of Abu Dhabi as a destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, adventure, nature and more. India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s key source markets, and the latest initiative underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to maintaining close ties with the valued Indian travel trade. …

With summer holidays just around the corner, the cruise industry is witnessing a sharp rise in bookings as travellers seek immersive, all-inclusive experiences at sea. Whether it is luxury ocean liners or intimate river cruises, the privilege of exploring multiple destinations in a single journey has fuelled demand across demographics. However, as more travellers set sail, industry experts highlight the importance of comprehensive travel protection. From medical assistance onboard and onshore to missed departure benefits, the right protection ensures that disruptions do not translate into financial or logistical setbacks. As customer expectations with regard to their trips are evolving by the day, Asego’s Cruise Cover offers a comprehensive safety net, including cabin confinement cover, cruise interruption coverage to reimburse costs for missed excursions, emergency medical expenses cover and evacuation benefits for onboard and onshore emergencies, and trip delay and baggage protection to cover unforeseen expenses.  

Exploring the beautiful scenery of Thailand with Vietjet Thailand’s ‘Pay Day Hot Deals’ promotion, with fares starting from IDR 8,900 (inclusive of taxes and fees) on daily direct flights between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), domestic connecting flights to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi (via Bangkok, with check-through baggage service)—and the airline’s connecting international routes—Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei (via Bangkok, with a convenient stopover and check-through baggage service). Book from 25 – 28 February, 2025, for travel between 1 April – 25 October, 2025 (excluding public holidays; terms and conditions apply) at www.vietjetair.com. The special promotional tickets are applied to Vietjet Thailand’s daily direct flight services between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi). Additionally, passengers can conveniently book domestic connecting flights from Mumbai to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi—via Bangkok with a seamless check-through baggage service. The airline also offers international connecting flights from Mumbai to Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei via Bangkok, ensuring a smooth stopover with check-through baggage service. The promotional fares are also available on all other distribution channels, including www.vietjetair.com, mobile app ‘Vietjet Air,’ via Facebook at www.facebook.com/VietJetThailand by clicking the ‘Booking’ tab, as well as travel agencies and booking offices. Payment can be easily made with international debit/ credit cards. Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, offers a captivating mix of tradition and modernity. Visitors can marvel at iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun while immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere of markets such as Chatuchak, night markets, and floating markets. Renowned for its world-class street food, including Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, the city …

During Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) India roadshow in Mumbai, Markus Tan, Regional Director, STB (India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa), said, “In 2024, Singapore saw over 1 mn Indian visitors, making India its 3rd largest source market. We have big plans for 2025 as it marks 60 years of India-Singapore relations.”

Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director, Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi Office said, “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, we are focused on increasing arrivals from the Indian market. With the visa-free initiative, improved connectivity, and a strong focus on sustainable tourism, we aim to welcome more Indians.”