To showcase the tourism potential of the Northeast to the world, Sikkim is set to host the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 13 to 16 at Gangtok. The event will be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim, in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. The annual flagship event aims to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region to domestic and international stakeholders. The Mart provides a platform to promote the Northeast’s rich natural beauty, vibrant cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities while encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth in tourism. Aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel for Life” initiative, the 13th ITM 2025 in Gangtok will highlight eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure as its core themes, underscoring Sikkim’s role as a torchbearer for sustainable tourism practices in India. This year’s ITM will welcome representatives from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The event will feature 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers, and 91 domestic sellers, fostering meaningful B2B interactions and global partnerships. A series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and product presentations will explore emerging opportunities in cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism. The event aims to strengthen networks among domestic and international stakeholders, encouraging investment and cooperation in the Northeast’s tourism sector. It serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a global tourism hub.

Baywatch Travels won the ‘Best in Tourism Customisation’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Accepting the honour, Manish Kriplani, Managing Director, Baywatch Travels, said, “This is not just an award, it reminds me of a lot more work to be done in the coming years and of the greater responsibility we hold towards the travel and tourism industry.”

Calling 2025 a “Year for Synergies”, Nutan Gupta, COO, EaseMyTrip, stressed the importance of startups and skill development in shaping India’s tourism future. She urged young professionals to consider tourism as a viable career path and contribute innovative ideas to the sector.

Radisson Hotel Group is accelerating its India expansion, with plans to reach over 200 unique locations in the coming years. The move will be driven by the rapid growth of tier II and tier III cities, improving connectivity, and rising demand from leisure and religious travel segments. “As airports grow from 75 to 150 and soon 250, we aim to be present at every key terminal city,” said Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO Chief, South Asia, RHG.

Tourist arrivals from India to Japan have surged by 37% this year, with 230,000 Indian visitors recorded between January and September, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. The figure has already surpassed the total number of Indian arrivals in 2024, reflecting the strengthening ties between India and Japan and growing interest among Indian travellers in Japanese destinations.

Dheeraj Ranjan Kumar, Founder & Director, Balitrip Wisata, said the company is realigning its 2026 strategy following the rise in direct flights from India to Bali — now five compared to two last year. The focus is on seat-inclusive packages, region-specific departures, and expanding partnerships with Indian travel agencies to capture growing demand for short-haul luxury travel.

Andhra Pradesh is accelerating tourism growth through strong public-private partnerships, said Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography. The state has granted industry status to tourism and is finalising a new policy focused on inclusive development. The upcoming policy aims to create a favourable environment for investors, boost employment opportunities, and ensure active community participation in tourism initiatives.

Air India Express expands its network, adding Nagpur to its route map with twice-daily flights to Bengaluru, starting 1 December, alongside the introduction of new international services to Abu Dhabi from Delhi and Pune, from 2 December.

India’s upscale hotel market is set for steady expansion, with room supply expected to grow 5–6% annually until FY2028, according to ICRA. However, demand is projected to rise faster at 8–10%, driving occupancy to 72–74% and average room rates to ₹8,200–8,500 by FY2026. The sustained demand-supply gap is expected to boost pricing and profitability.

Travel Mudra was honoured with the ‘Fastest Growing Visa Services in India’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Thanking DDP Group for the recognition, Neeraj Kumar Ailawadi, Director, Travel Mudra, said, “Winning the awards is a proud milestone for us. This recognition reflects our hard work, dedication, and the trust of our clients and partners.”