Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to develop Cross Bali Uluwatu, an upper-upscale resort located 200 metres from Suluban Beach, one of Bali’s well-known surf and cultural landmarks. The project marks a continued expansion for Cross Hotels & Resorts across Indonesia, focusing on destinations that integrate design, culture and commercial performance. The resort is expected to become a significant addition to the company’s Indonesia portfolio, reinforcing its role in the country’s evolving hospitality landscape.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed a Vivanta hotel in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. This greenfield project marks the brand’s debut in Vellore. The 100-key property will feature a contemporary design and vibrant spaces. The hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish bar and a pool lounge bar. For meetings and social gatherings, it will house multiple meeting rooms and a banquet hall spanning over 2,500 sq. ft. Guests can also enjoy recreational amenities, including a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool.

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a mutual short-stay visa exemption agreement, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. The pact allows holders of diplomatic, special and official passports from both countries to travel visa-free for short stays. The move aims to ease official travel, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and reflect growing trust and cooperation between New Delhi and Riyadh.

The Niyo Rewind 2025 report revealed Kazakhstan has emerged as the new ‘Switzerland’ for young Indian travellers. It found that Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai account for nearly two-thirds of international trips. Solo travel now dominates, with 64% of outbound journeys taken alone. Gen Z and millennials together drive over 90% of India’s outbound travel demand, underscoring a shift toward independent, youth-led travel choices.

Shashank S Mishra, Director, Sports Konnect, noted that inbound sports tourism to India grew nearly 80% year-on-year in 2025, led by travellers from Australia, England, South Africa, and other cricket-loving nations attending marquee events such as the Cricket World Cup and IPL. These visitors extended their stays to 20–25 nights, exploring destinations beyond the traditional Golden Triangle. Despite challenges of supply bottlenecks and inventory constraints, 2025 marked a more mature, experience-driven travel market, setting the stage for deeper, value-led growth in 2026.

Speaking at the panel discussion on New Horizons in Jammu & Kashmir at the 17th ATOAI Convention, Waseem Raja, Joint Director, J&K Tourism, said, “We should sign an MoU with ATOAI for skill upgradation in adventure tourism.” He noted that a growing number of youths in Jammu & Kashmir have recently taken up adventure tourism as a profession, adding that “skill upgrading is what we need to focus on”.

Speaking at the 2nd IEIA EventTech & MarTech Summit 2025 in Delhi, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General, MoT, said India’s MICE sector needs better structural alignment rather than more infrastructure. The ministry’s plan to establish city-level MICE Convention Promotion Bureaus to bring government and industry together, bundle offerings, and enable competitive bidding, he added. Under the model, bids will be endorsed by state governments and matched with central government support, encouraging grassroots-led growth and adoption of technology, including artificial intelligence.

Join this special webinar on 23 December at 3 PM IST to discover what Resorts World Sentosa can offer for your MICE clients. This includes showcase of its largest pillarless convention centre in Singapore, multiple MICE venues, world-class attractions, such as Universal Studios Singapore and the Singapore Oceanarium, along with substantial room inventory. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the team and unlock exciting possibilities. Register now! Contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 9650196532.

Andhra Pradesh will host the two-day National Tourism Mart in Visakhapatnam on 13–14 February 2026, in collaboration with ADTOI, according to Kandula Durgesh, Tourism Minister. The event aims to boost domestic tourism. An MoU was signed between the state government and ADTOI in the presence of senior tourism officials to support faster growth of the sector. Prominent tour operators, hotel owners, destination promoters, tourism stakeholders, and travel experts from across the country are expected to participate.

TIRUN Travel Marketing reported a 7.26% increase in passenger numbers over last year. Varun Chadha, CEO, said, “Short-haul Asian itineraries are driving the surge during the year-end season. Southeast Asia sailings, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, continue to attract the highest volumes from Indian cruisers, reflecting strong demand for convenient regional cruise holidays.”