Now inviting Indian travellers to witness Sri Lanka’s majestic elephant gathering Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, together with Cinnamon Nature Trails and in partnership with Seylan Bank, announced the return of The Gathering of Giants, taking place from 25 to 27 July 2025 at Cinnamon Habarana Complex. This much-anticipated event marks the third edition of a unique nature experience that brings together wildlife enthusiasts, families, conservationists, and travellers from across the globe—especially neighbouring India—to witness Asia’s largest congregation of wild elephants. Conveniently timed around a long weekend for many Indian travellers, this immersive three-day event offers front-row access to one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles—the seasonal migration of hundreds of elephants to Sri Lanka’s Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. Recognised by Lonely Planet as the 6th greatest wildlife spectacle globally, the elephant gathering is a breathtaking and humbling experience that promises to resonate with Indian nature lovers, photographers, and families seeking responsible and meaningful travel. “Bringing The Gathering of Giants to life for the third consecutive year reaffirms our deep and enduring commitment to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s wildlife heritage,” said Hishan Singhawansa, Chief Executive Officer Designate, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. “This event goes beyond observation—it is about sparking awareness, nurturing responsible tourism, and uniting communities and experts to drive lasting change. It is one of over 35 ongoing humanitarian and conservation initiatives that shape who we are and what we stand for.” Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, the Cinnamon Habarana Complex—comprising Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon—offers guests front-row access to nature’s theatre, all supported by Cinnamon’s signature brand of conservation-conscious hospitality. This immersive three-day experience blends expert-led wildlife talks, hands-on workshops, and guided …

Maitland & Knox Heritage Hotels, the homegrown luxury boutique chain behind Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala, and The Warden’s House, has officially rebranded as Island Life – Sri Lanka. This is among the biggest rebranding exercises carried out by a Sri Lankan group in recent years. This new name and identity reflect a new, experience-led approach to homegrown hospitality. The specialised boutique hotel chain now pegs itself as ‘the custodians of the perfect Sri Lankan experience.’ The new brand logo of Island Life – Sri Lanka captures the soul of the island—where a wave echoes coastal calm and a peak evokes the wild highlands. Together, they reflect the rhythm of serenity and adventure, inviting guests to experience Sri Lanka’s story through every stay. With Island Life – Sri Lanka, the group begins a new chapter rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and soul. At its core is a promise: to our guests more than just a stay—an opportunity to feel Sri Lanka, move with its rhythm, embrace its culture, and connect with its people. Guided by a philosophy of fulfilment through action, every stay is thoughtfully designed to go beyond comfort — shaped in curated experiences, personalisation, and authentic connection. From cultural encounters and locally inspired design to meaningful moments through art, heritage and service, we ensure each guest feels fully immersed in the essence of the island. Island Life – Sri Lanka now includes three iconic properties Thotalagala (Haputale): A restored 19th-century tea planter’s bungalow nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, offering heritage charm, quiet luxury, and meaningful interactions. Thotalagala features 7 suites complementing gourmet experiences, guided walks, an Insta-viral infinity pool and Sri Lanka’s best high tea. Galle Fort Hotel (Galle): …

Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, and this year celebrates an incredible 185 years of operation. 2025 is a momentous year in Cunard’s history, which will be marked with several iconic land-based events and special Event Voyages. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East and Australia. There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024. This investment is part of the company’s ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally, with the brand now boasting four ships in simultaneous service. Special low fares have been launched on 7 nights Europe sailings for Sep – Oct – Nov 2025. For brochures and booking, kindly contact M/s Griffon, agent of Cunard in India at 91 9820060421 or send email to sales@GriffonCruises.in

K Lakshminarayana, Tourism Minister, Puducherry, announced that the UT will be conducting a roadshow in Rajasthan in the coming months to boost tourism in Puducherry. Additionally, 100 acres of land has been identified for the development of tourism infrastructure under the public private partnership model.

Robin Lawther, Vice President, Expedia TAAP, said, “Our Summer Sale gives agents a strong edge during peak season with exclusive deals and easy bookings. We have seen strong engagement, especially for last-minute trips, with at least 25% off thousands of properties worldwide boosting agent-led sales.”

Monish Shah, Co-founder & CEO, DreamSetGo, said, “The National Sports Policy 2025 aligns with our vision of making India a global sports tourism hub. With India’s $10 billion sports tourism market growing fast, the policy supports world-class infrastructure and creates opportunities for delivering premium experiences globally.”

India welcomed 28.5 lakh foreign tourists during January-March 2025, up from 26.8 lakh in Q1 2024 and 6.2% year-on-year growth, as per the MOT’s report. The rise signals renewed global confidence in India’s tourism offerings, including heritage, wellness and medical travel, despite global economic uncertainties.

The OTOAI Convention is set to host its 6th edition in the vibrant city of Moscow. This prestigious event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to shape the future of travel. Asego is proud to be a part of this illustrious gathering as OTOAI’s preferred Global Assistance and Travel Insurance partner, providing comprehensive travel protection to all delegates attending this convention. In today’s unpredictable travel environment, having a relevant travel protection solution is a vital safeguard against cancellations, booking disruptions, and unforeseen emergencies. For travel trade professionals who rely on seamless travel amidst their busy schedules, Asego’s protection offers crucial relief and peace of mind during their journeys. This underscores Asego’s commitment to supporting the travel trade with reliable and smart Travel protection solutions that keep the industry moving forward with confidence.

In India, more than 4 out of 5 (83%) of travellers believe airports are adopting AI and technology at the right pace 88% of Indian travellers spend more due to automation, significantly higher than the global (60%) and Asia Pacific (68%) average 61% of travellers in India say new airport technology has reduced stress, and 46% say tech has made their journey more seamless While airport technology evolves, genuine service, trust and human connection remain key Airports are rapidly evolving into technology-driven hubs, reshaping the travel experience and unlocking significant commercial potential. Priority Pass, the world’s leading airport lounge and experiences programme and part of The Collinson Group, has released new global research surveying over 12,000 travellers – including from key markets across Asia Pacific (APAC) such as India, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand – to highlight how digital innovation is transforming traveller behaviour, spending and engagement at airports worldwide. The global airport automation market size is projected to surge from USD 55.05bn in 2025 to USD 85.12bn by 2031, fuelled by rising passenger expectations and investment in digital infrastructure. From biometric ID and real-time passenger updates to fully automated check-in and bag drop, the report finds smart technologies are directly influencing traveller choices and spend. Amongst Indian travellers, 82% identified fast-track security and 85% cited digital boarding passes as the most impactful technologies, while automated baggage drops and advanced scanners are both highly valued by 80% of respondents. Additionally, 88% expressed comfort in sharing biometric data to help expedite their journey. 88% of Indian travellers – particularly Gen Z (91%) and Millennials (93%) – report increased spending at airports due to automation, significantly higher …

In a landmark moment for India’s travel and tourism sector, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism, officially launched the debut book by Vineet Gopal — ‘Indian Outbound Tourism 2030: Why India Matters?’ — at a special ceremony held in New Delhi. The book, subtitled ‘The Rise, Reach and Reign of the Global Indian Traveller,’ explores the transformative journey of India’s outbound travel market and the unprecedented global impact of the Indian traveller. Vineet Gopal, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, remarked at the launch, “This moment marks a milestone in my journey through the dynamic world of Indian travel. This book is more than just insights — it is a tribute to the unstoppable spirit of Indian travellers shaping global tourism like never before.” The book provides a comprehensive roadmap for global tourism boards, luxury brands, policymakers, and travel professionals to understand the behavioural shifts, economic significance, and experiential aspirations of Indian outbound travellers. It includes detailed analyses on generational trends, digital booking patterns, MICE and wedding travel, luxury consumerism, visa policy impacts, and India’s growing role in tourism diplomacy. From destinations like Dubai and Paris to emerging favourites like Japan, Georgia, and Portugal, the book decodes how Indian tourists are influencing global travel decisions and redefining luxury and leisure norms. With forecasts projecting Indian outbound travel to exceed USD 90 billion by 2030, the narrative positions India as a tourism superpower in the making.