Referring to Assam’s inclusion in the New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go in 2025’, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Government of India, said it’s a proof of growing global interest in the region. Under schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, projects worth ₹3,000 crore have been approved for the Northeast to build new circuits, revive heritage sites, enhance connectivity, and world-class tourism experiences, he said.

Dubai Safari Park, home to over 3,000 animals across 119 acres of immersive wildlife zones, will host an exclusive webinar tomorrow at 3 pm IST. Attendees can explore unique drive-through safaris, rare species like moon bears and rhinos, daily feeding sessions, and world-class animal care. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Bird Group won the ‘Best Aviation Group in India’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Receiving the award, Praful Khosla, Executive Vice President, said, “This award is a great motivation for us. Our constant endeavour is to establish new routes, bring global airlines into India market, and actively collaborate with the travel fraternity to deliver the best products and experiences to the country.”

CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, GSTC, says sustainability will soon become the default standard in global travel and hospitality, with certified practices expected as the norm. Reflecting on 2025, he describes the year as one filled with “optimism and great hope”, noting that the industry is rising to global sustainability challenges. He remains confident about hotels accelerating their sustainable transformation.

Sharing the Travel & Expense Survey insights at the first-ever Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) India Summit, Ravi Sattavan, Director & India Lead, Large & Mid-Market Segment, Commercial Solutions, Visa, revealed that 69% of buyers have seen higher domestic business travel in the past year, while 68% report an uptick in international corporate travel within their programmes. Premium travel is rising too, while blended travel gains momentum with more employees extending work trips for leisure.

Addressing the 13th International Tourism Mart virtually, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said the Northeast has undergone a major transformation with huge investments in airports, highways, railways and digital connectivity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Air traffic has surged from 9.8 million passengers in 2019 to 11.2 million in 2024, the highest ever for the region.

According to Thrillophilia’s Honeymoon Travel Report 2025-26, Kerala (17%), Andaman (14%), Goa (13%), and Rajasthan (12%) continue to dominate honeymoon bookings in India, while quieter destinations such as Meghalaya, Coorg, and Himachal Pradesh are emerging as preferred alternatives for couples seeking privacy and nature.

The Czech Republic will open a new consulate in Mumbai next year. The aim is to streamline and expedite visa processing for Indian travellers.

Nchumbemo Lotha, Secretary, Tourism Department, Nagaland, stated that the state will host the Femina Miss India event next year at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, scheduled for March or April. He said the tourism department has already met the organising team in Mumbai and is set to sign an MoU shortly. The venue’s complete renovation and upgradation is expected to finish by February next year.

The travel and tourism industry renewed its demand for ‘industry status’ in the upcoming Union Budget to enable access to lower-interest credit for the fast-growing sector. In pre-budget consultations with Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, industry leaders also sought special incentives to promote lesser-known & emerging destinations, GST delinking for hotel restaurants, simplified visa policies, and a single-window clearance system for hospitality projects.