PATA in its new report, ‘The Evolving Tourism Workforce: Human Capital Development in APAC’ emphasised a critical need for better collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as between academia and industry, particularly in preparing youth to enter the workforce with realistic expectations and future-ready skills.

According to new research from MakeMyTrip, 69% Indian travellers expressed their willingness to choose destinations that actively promote responsible travel, with an emphasis on local sustainability initiatives. Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman, MMT & Chairman, WTTCII, said, “The Market is ready, the challenge now is for the industry to provide the products and services that meet demand.”

Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director, Travel Sector, RX Global, said, “An upcoming ATM report sees an emerging middle-class in Asia, expected to comprise 24% of the global population by 2030. India is predicted to add 9 million households. Middle East remains a top choice due to religious, cultural and commercial ties.”

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, said they will do their best to “minimise” the dent on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the attack. “I am in touch with everybody in J&K, and so is my office. Secretary, Tourism is taking regular updates from the UT’s Tourism Secretary and Chief Secretary”, he added.

Minor Hotels announces the arrival of the Avani Hotels & Resorts brand in India with Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort, an exclusive new-build resort and branded residences development set along the scenic Sunray Beach in Visakhapatnam, India. The project will feature 117 hotel rooms and 58 branded residential villas, alongside a suite of premium amenities designed to set a new benchmark for hospitality in the region. The announcement comes as Minor Hotels significantly accelerates its expansion strategy in India, targeting 50 new openings in the country over the next decade.

StarCruises introduced a new lineup of shorter itineraries aboard the Star Voyager, sailing from both Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. These carefully curated 3 Night and 4 Night voyages offer guests a convenient and flexible way to enjoy the magic of cruising—perfect for the school holidays in Singapore and Vietnam, first-time cruisers, families, busy professionals and spontaneous getaways.

Rikant Pittie, CEO & co-founder, EaseMyTrip, “For FY26, we plan to significantly scale up our EasyDarshan vertical and expand curated pilgrimage offerings across all major religious circuits like Char Dham, Jyotirlingas, Shaktipeeths, and key temples in South India. The plan is to tie up with temple trusts and local administrations to ensure pilgrims’ safety and comfort.

To enhance tourism and connectivity in the state, Sushanta Chowdhury, Tourism and Transport Minister, Tripura, announced that the state government has initiated plans to introduce seaplane tourism in the state. The initiative aims to leverage the state’s abundant water bodies to attract both domestic and international tourists with a unique aerial and aquatic travel experience.

According to American Express India’s 2025 Global Travel Trends report, Indians are willing to go the distance and travel both domestically (36 per cent) and internationally (32 per cent) for a sporting event in 2025. Cricket (63 per cent), football/soccer (38 per cent) are the top sports Indians are planning to travel for this year.

Calling on Agoda to immediately reverse the recent changes to its commission structure, K Syama Raju, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “We strongly urge Agoda to uphold equitable business practices and maintain complete transparency in their engagements with Indian hotel partners.”