Speaking at the launch of Centrum Air’s new flight, connecting Delhi and Tashkent from 3 October, Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, said that the improved air connectivity has already boosted tourism four-fold, from 20,000 Indian visitors to nearly 82,000 in one year, with expectations of even higher numbers this year. Aeroprime Group is Centrum Air’s exclusive GSA in India. Expressing optimism, Rustambaev said that new routes will further strengthen cooperation, tourism, and people-to-people contact. He stressed that these flights would benefit tourism, education, medical travel, and overall bilateral engagement.

APS Destinations bagged the Most Innovative Travel Planners award at the India Travel Award 2025. Receiving the trophy, Pratik Shah, Founder, APS Destinations, said, “This award is not about numbers or tickets, but about the trust and credibility built with clients. It means a lot to me.” Advising young professionals, he said that travel is beyond bookings, think out of the box and explore global opportunities.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi hosted a roundtable discussion to position the state-of-the-art facility as the capital’s premier cultural and tourist destination. The event was attended by Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, GoI, along with key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, highlighted that such initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing this establishment of national importance while delivering tremendous value to visitors. The discussion emphasised strengthening cultural tourism and enhancing visitor engagement, further establishing PMML as a must-visit landmark in Delhi.

At the 69th Annual General Meeting of FHRAI, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal was elected as the new President of the association. Outlining his vision for the tenure, he said, “The GST framework without ITC has created inequities that threaten our competitiveness. By restoring ITC, addressing copyright ambiguities, and granting Infrastructure and Industry status, the government can empower hospitality to support the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The World Tourism Day celebrations marked major strides for India’s tourism sector with the signing of MoUs with Netflix, Atithi Foundation, and leading Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). The Netflix partnership aims to promote Indian destinations through cinematic storytelling, with curated trailers and global outreach. MoUs with Atithi Foundation and OTAs seek to bolster strategic research, innovation, capacity building, and post-travel visitor feedback collection to enable data-driven policy decisions by States and Union Territories.

The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), a unique national institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the legacy of India’s Prime Ministers since Independence, celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with special initiatives to strengthen its position as Delhi’s premier cultural and tourist destination. PMML is one of its kind globally, housing a vast library of books, microfilms, extensive archives, a Centre for Contemporary Studies, and the Nehru Planetarium, which includes a dedicated gallery on astronomy and space. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya within PMML brings to life the journeys, vision, and contributions of India’s Prime Ministers. With daily Light & Sound Shows and a gallery on the Indian Constitution, it stands as a true “Temple of Democracy”, offering immense value for visitors of all ages. To mark the occasion, PMML hosted a roundtable discussion on “Positioning Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya as a Must-Visit Tourist Destination of Delhi,” in collaboration with the Director General of Tourism, Government of India, along with leaders of national tourist associations and tour operators. The session focused on collaborative strategies to boost cultural tourism and visitor engagement. Additionally, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Terrace Café at the Nehru Planetarium added a new dimension to the visitor experience, blending culture, cuisine, and comfort in a serene setting. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, emphasised that these initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing its national importance and delivering exceptional value to its visitors.

Summit Hotels & Resorts, Eastern India’s largest hospitality chain, announced its formal entry into the luxury hotel market with the launch of its flagship brand, The Summit, in Siliguri. Scheduled to open in May 2027, this landmark property signals a bold strategic expansion for the brand, long known for its mountain-based portfolio, into the high-end urban hospitality space. Located in the heart of Siliguri, the critical gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Bhutan, Rhe Summit is conceived as Eastern India’s first true urban luxury resort. The 100-room property, with each room featuring a private balcony, will offer an elevated combination of city convenience and resort indulgence. Designed by Vivek Singh Rathore, Partner at Salient and a Forbes India “Bold Club” honoree, the resort will integrate contemporary global design standards with Eastern India’s cultural and natural heritage, making it both an architectural landmark and the brand’s corporate headquarters. Setting a new benchmark for tier-II hospitality, The Summit will position Siliguri as a premier destination for luxury weddings, large-scale corporate events, and high-end leisure travel. The property will feature the largest banquet facilities in Eastern India, capable of hosting up to 2,000 guests and managing 10 simultaneous events. A complete wedding ecosystem, with multiple indoor and outdoor venues, accommodation for large parties, and dedicated planning services will meet the growing demand in the region’s lucrative ₹1 crore-plus wedding market, which draws families from Bihar and Bengal. In the MICE segment, state-of-the-art conference technology will cater to the increasing corporate presence in Siliguri, offering premium meeting and event solutions previously unavailable in the city. The lifestyle offering at The Summit will further differentiate it from existing hospitality options in the region. Guests will enjoy …

Over 600 delegates from India’s travel trade community joined the 68th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The convention took place from 17–19 September in Abu Dhabi and was themed “Business with Goodness,” bringing together leading travel agents, tour operators, airlines, and hospitality partners. The successful convention further deepened tourism ties between India and the UAE, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for culture, leisure, and business travel.

The 55ᵗʰ FHRAI Annual Convention has kicked off in Bengaluru with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, projecting India as a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Highlighting hospitality’s rising demand, he noted industry status for 50 iconic destinations and said 18 states had extended this recognition. He stressed investments today will power tourism and hospitality growth tomorrow.

Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, has said that they fly to 94 destinations in India, which provides the trade an opportunity not only to support the airline’s growth but also to run their own business and build on it. “The IndiGo team is engaging with the travel trade from the beginning. We also have all the digital connections with them through a dedicated portal,” he shared.