Kerala Tourism is working to position the state as India’s leading workation destination, said  Mohammed Riyas, Tourism Minister, after a high-level planning meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. Officials from the tourism, IT, and hospitality sectors discussed strategies to enhance infrastructure and interdepartmental coordination. The roadmap will be submitted to the CM, aiming to blend leisure, innovation, and remote work experiences.

Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati, was honoured with the ‘Best Luxury Resort – Destination Weddings – Northeast’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Accepting the award, Pravesh Sharma, Director, said, “It’s an incredible honour and a proud moment that celebrates our dedication, creativity, and heartfelt hospitality, motivating us to continue crafting unforgettable celebrations.”

India will have 34 mega airports by 2047, said Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India, at the Aviation India 2025 event. The country’s operational airports have risen to 164 from 74 in 2024. He added that 110 airstrips are suitable for development, while 200 more are under suitability assessment.

Live events are thriving in India, with global artistes adding the country to their tour schedules and the government targeting to double the concert economy. According to Thrillophilia, event-linked travel has surged 42% year-on-year, giving rise to the ‘gigcation’ — short, experience-led getaways. Hotels in metro cities are reporting sold-out weekends, while tour operators are curating concert-centric itineraries.

Anil Kalsi, Owner, Ambe World Travels and Vice President, TAFI, highlighted the alarming decline in the number of ‘Standard’ IATA ticketing agents. Currently, there are approximately 1,800 Standard IATA agents and around 3,200 IATA Lite agents in India. Calling it a national concern for employment and aviation distribution, he urged airlines to value their distribution networks and respect travel agents’ vital role.

The Philippines Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), in collaboration with Buzz Travel Marketing, successfully hosted an engaging Itinerary Training Workshop in Mumbai, attracting over 60 key travel trade professionals from the city. The session aimed to enhance destination knowledge among the travel trade, equipping them with insights to design memorable itineraries across the Philippines. The workshop saw lively discussions, valuable exchange of ideas, and continued engagement over a networking lunch. Honorary Vice Consul Subramanian Krishna Moorthy graced the event from the Philippines Consulate in Mumbai, who highlighted the strengthening ties between India and the Philippines in tourism and cultural exchange. Also in attendance was the Air India team, who presented details about their newly launched direct flight to the Philippines, outlining key features and schedules that will significantly improve connectivity and encourage more Indian travellers to explore the archipelago. The workshop concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the Philippines’ growing appeal as a preferred destination for Indian travellers—be it for leisure, adventure, or MICE experiences.

In a significant step toward globalising India’s digital payment ecosystem, Razorpay announced that Indian travellers will soon be able to make UPI payments in Malaysia, marking a new milestone in cross-border fintech innovation. The initiative comes through Razorpay’s Malaysian subsidiary, Curlec, in collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) — the overseas arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). With this integration, Indian tourists visiting Malaysia will be able to pay instantly and securely at local stores using their UPI-enabled apps, eliminating the need for international cards or currency exchanges.

Bullish on the fast-growing Indian aviation market, Saudi Arabia’s no-frills carrier flyadeal will start flights to Indian cities, including Mumbai, from the first quarter of 2026. Steven Greenway, CEO, said that India is one of the “most hyper-competitive markets” in the world and there is a need to have an “absolute, brutal focus on unit cost”.  We expect to cover metropolises like Mumbai and Delhi, as well as focus on secondary cities in India.

The Cochin Port Authority (CPA) has signed a ₹300 crore MoU to unlock the tourism potential of Willingdon Island. The project will develop a 20-acre plot near the Ernakulam Wharf cruise terminal, featuring hotels, shopping centres, and recreation zones. It aims to position Cochin as a leading cruise destination with world-class tourism infrastructure.

Marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in India’s rapidly evolving tier-II travel markets, Cox & Kings has opened seven new franchise outlets across Surat, Bhopal, Belgaum, Nashik, Rajahmundry, and Jamnagar. The new additions are part of the company’s broader vision to establish 200 franchise outlets nationwide.