According to Skyscanner report, nearly 47 per cent of Indian travellers are choosing to experience live cricket matches over watching them on screens both domestically and internationally While 50 per cent are extending their match-day plans into short getaways, transforming their cricket pilgrimage into a perfect mix of sport and sightseeing.

The EEMA Spotlight Awards 2025, held at the vibrant Club Riviera, Gurugram on Saturday, 24 May 2025, was a resounding success, bringing together the crème de la crème of the event and experiential industry to celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to turn dreams into reality. The evening kicked off on a powerful note with the soul-stirring rhythms of The Mangal Naad Band, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in emotion and excellence. This was followed by a deeply moving original poem by Aditya Malik, emcee & scriptwriter, reflecting on the Spotlight journey and evoking heartfelt nostalgia across the audience. With finesse and energy, Sahithya and Mitin, the emcees for the evening, seamlessly hosted the awards while weaving in spectacular performances and moments of celebration. A power-packed opening act by Laadi Maa and her troupe left the audience awe-struck, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. Viraf Sarkari, esteemed Jury Chair and Co-founder of Wizcraft International Entertainment, addressed the audience and provided insights into the robust and transparent judging process, conducted under the esteemed supervision of Ernst & Young. The true spotlight of the evening remained steadfastly on the vendor partners—the backbone of the experiential industry. Samit Garg, President, EEMA, in a heartfelt address, emphasised, “The Spotlight Awards are not about glitz or glamour. They are about the people who make the stage possible. Our vendor partners are the true heroes—without them, there is no spotlight.” The night’s most emotional moment came with the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred upon Vijay Batra, Director of Rama Tent House. Celebrated for his decades-long contribution to the industry, Batra has helped shape the success of countless event agencies. “Batra …

PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Tourism Board, in collaboration with Nepal Airlines, are all set to host the 5th edition of Nepal’s premier international travel and tourism trade show—the Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM)—scheduled to take place from 3 to 5 June, 2025, at The Soaltee, Kathmandu, Nepal. This year’s edition of HTM holds special significance as it coincides with the Golden Jubilee year of the PATA Nepal Chapter, celebrating 50 years of impactful contributions to Nepal’s tourism development and global connectivity. Additionally, the inauguration day marks a historic milestone—the 75th Anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Annapurna by the legendary French mountaineer Maurice Herzog, whose family is visiting Nepal to honour this legacy. Held annually in June in Kathmandu, HTM is Nepal’s flagship international tourism trade show, fostering unparalleled networking, business opportunities, and valuable industry insights among global tourism and hospitality organisations, professionals, and individuals engaged in diverse sectors of the industry. Now in its 5th edition, HTM 2025 will bring together a remarkable gathering of global buyers, diverse sellers, travel bloggers, influencers, thought leaders, high-profile speakers, national and international media, travel professionals, and delegates from around the world. Narendra Deo Bhatta, Convener, HTM 2025 Organising Committee and General Secretary, PATA Nepal Chapter said, “We are expecting over 700 delegates from 30+ countries, including more than 100 international guests, and a large representation from Nepal’s public and private tourism sectors.” With the overarching theme and vision of positioning ‘Nepal: Gateway to the Himalayas,’ HTM aims to establish Nepal as a premier, year-round travel destination while creating value for all stakeholders through a dynamic platform for promotion, dialogue, and partnership. This year, our focus is on enhancing insightful conference sessions, …

Highlights: Hosting the 21st World Rose Convention is a matter of pride for us – Principal Secretary Shukla Sushil Prakash elected President of World Rose Society Official flag ceremoniously handed over to Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board represented India at the 20th Convention held in Japan India to host the convention for the first time; over 700 international delegates expected The 21st World Rose Convention will be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in 2028, as announced by the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) at the recently concluded 20th World Rose Convention in Fukuyama, Japan. The event will mark the first time India hosts the prestigious international gathering, which will bring together more than 700 delegates from across the globe. With its scenic backdrop of lakes and gardens, Bhopal is set to provide an ideal setting for the convention with thematic gardens, technical sessions, cultural performances, and a showcase of tourism experiences from across the state. The official announcement was made at the 20th World Rose Convention, where Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) represented India. The delegation was led by Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. During the closing ceremony, Shukla was ceremoniously handed over the WFRS flag, formally bestowing Madhya Pradesh with the responsibility of hosting the next edition of the convention. In a significant milestone, Sushil Prakash was elected as the new President of the World Federation of Rose Societies. He becomes the first Indian to be appointed to this prestigious post, further strengthening India’s global footprint in the horticultural and floriculture sector. At the closing ceremony of the 20th convention, the WFRS …

In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory changes and shifting traveller expectations, the tourism industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. The ongoing Indo Pak conflict has understandably raised fresh concerns and cast a shadow over the tourism sector. Yet, time and again, history has proven that our industry is built not just on destinations, but on determination. Recognising the need for collective insight and decisive action, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is stepping up with a timely and thought-provoking virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends.’ Scheduled for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST), this one-hour online dialogue will bring together some of the most respected voices in the Indian travel and tourism landscape. The session is designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead. The panel will feature: Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI – an industry veteran known for his leadership in Tourism, Adventure Tourism and advocacy for sustainable travel; Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online, Inc. – a pioneer in digital travel platforms, offering a sharp perspective on evolving consumer behaviour and tech trends; Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI – a respected voice for travel agents and tour operators with deep knowledge of global travel dynamics. Together, these thought leaders will explore how the sector can embrace change—through innovation, sustainability and resilience—while addressing some of the most pressing questions facing the travel industry today. “The tourism industry has weathered many storms—and every time, we have emerged stronger. We are at another such inflection point, offering us the chance to pause, reset and reimagine,” said Ajeet Bajaj. This session is open …

The premium ‘Legends of Lake Lucerne – The Supreme Steamboat Experience’ cruise launched recently. This spectacular and exclusive boat/cruise features: 5-hour experience aboard the iconic Gallia, the fastest lake steamer in Europe Limited number of guests for a personal and exclusive atmosphere. A freshly prepared 5-course meal featuring regional specialties and carefully sourced wines Casimir Friedrich Knörr, founder of steam navigation on Lake Lucerne, takes you on a lively journey through time Excellent service from a dedicated team, tailor-made to your specific wishes and combined with classic Swiss hospitality Personalised conversations with the crew Step aboard the steamship Gallia and embark on an unforgettable journey. With a limited number of guests, an exquisite five-course menu, and breathtaking views, this experience is truly one of a kind.

FLY91 introduced UPI payments for inflight purchases, including hot meals and beverages, which can be pre-booked right until the time of boarding, becoming the first regional airline in India and very few in the world to offer this convenience. In most airlines, meals must be booked while purchasing the ticket or paid for in cash. In contrast, FLY91 allows passengers to pre-book their meal right up until they board the flight. Passengers can pre-book or purchase their meals at multiple touchpoints on the day of travel. They can scan a QR code placed at check-in counters, boarding gates or in the seat-back pocket once inside the aircraft. Payments can be made seamlessly via UPI before door closure at departure. This move offers flexibility in payment options. The introduction of UPI payments is just one example of how FLY91 is leveraging innovation and technology for better efficiency and smoother customer experience. Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO, FLY91, said, “As a regional carrier, our focus has always been on enhancing the overall travel experience through practical innovation using an easy-to-use digital framework. Introducing UPI based digital payments on board is a step towards offering our passengers greater convenience, flexibility and warm meals too. FLY91’s digital-first initiative reflects our commitment to a seamless and cashless journey, while continuing to deliver quality service—even on short-haul regional routes.”  

Following government directives, the recently closed airports are now available for airlines operations. IndiGo has reopened its flight bookings and resumed operations starting 12 May, 2025 progressively on select routes, beginning with Delhi – Chandigarh, Delhi – Jammu – Delhi and Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi.  Over a course of the next few days more flights will resume gradually across the network. Indigo team is working diligently to ensure smooth, secure and seamless travel experience, supported by enhanced protocols and timely communication.

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.”