Thailand is likely to welcome around 2.48 million Indian travellers by year-end, potentially its highest-ever figure, said Nattachit Oonsiam, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai. He attributed the growth to improved air connectivity and strong leisure demand. Between 1 January and 15 December, Thailand recorded over 2.34 million Indians, marking a 17% growth compared to the same period last year.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager South Asia, Booking.com, said Indian accommodation searches for destinations like Udaipur, Jaipur, Varanasi and Munnar have risen 30–70% year-on-year. Varkala recorded a 75% surge, entering the top five destinations. He added that Indian travellers increasingly prefer short-haul international trips, with Asia-Pacific destinations dominating the top 10 most-searched overseas destinations.

68M Holidays bagged the ‘Most Promising Travel Company of the Year’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Syed Murtaja Ali, Founder & Director, said, “This award is a milestone for our company and team, symbolising growth and recognition. It also brings a greater responsibility to push boundaries, contribute more to the industry, and continue striving for excellence with confidence and commitment.”

Nitin Mittal, National Coordinator, NIMA, said the Government of India’s ‘MICE in India’ conclave in Jaipur was the most impactful policy initiative of the year. For the first time, the government formally partnered with the MICE industry, recognising its 13% year-on-year growth. He noted the sector’s market size of US$50 billion, projected to reach US$65 billion, highlighting strong future potential.

Speaking at the ATOAI Convention, Jasmeet Singh, Chief Commercial Officer, MakeMyTrip, highlighted that last-minute planning continues to dominate leisure travel behaviour, with nearly 50% of travellers booking hotels close to their travel dates. He noted that 56% of domestic leisure hotel bookings are made within seven days of travel, reflecting increasingly spontaneous decision-making among Indian travellers. For international travel, 40% of hotel bookings are completed within 15 days of departure, underscoring a growing preference for flexibility in travel planning, Singh added.

Announcing a membership initiative at the 17th ATOAI Annual Convention, Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said that adventure tour operators from Jammu & Kashmir joining ATOAI in 2026 will not be required to pay any joining or annual membership fee. The move aims to support local operators, enhance industry participation, and aid the growth of organised adventure tourism in the region.

Royal Tour & Travel India was honoured with the ‘Best Luxury Outbound Tour Operator’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Ahmad Maaz, Managing Director, said, “Coming from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, this award holds special meaning for me, our clients, our partners, and the entire state.”

Balitrip Wisata is launching a new umbrella brand ‘DMC HUB’, a unified regional platform covering Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, said Dheeraj Ranjan Kumarr, Founder. The new structure will offer Indian travel agents one trusted partner with standardised SOPs, dedicated teams, and seamless ground control across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Delhi will soon allow third-party fire audits and roll out a single-window licensing regime for hotels and restaurants in the NCT. The move aligns with the government’s broader push to streamline processes and enhance ease of doing business for the hospitality sector. The government also plans to route MCD, DDA, and Delhi Government licences for hotels and restaurants through a single-window system.

India’s aviation sector is witnessing remarkable momentum, with Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, confirming that the domestic market in 2025 is now 32% larger than in 2020. Speaking at a media roundtable in Geneva, he highlighted India’s expanding airport network and over 1,500 aircraft on order, calling it one of the world’s most exciting aviation markets. He credited strong infrastructure investment for enabling this rapid growth despite rising demand pressures.