As per new research by MMGY Travel Intelligence, passport-carrying adults in India intend to spend an average of $4,755 on leisure trips in the next 12 months, pinpointing a 14% increase in spending over the past year. Caroline Moultrie, President, MMGY Global, said, “India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most influential outbound travel markets.”

India is set to expand its presence at the Arabian Travel Market 2025, which will take place from 28 April to 1 May in Dubai. The country’s participation this year is likely to grow by 41% compared to last year. India’s MOT, along with key exhibitors such as Air India, Air India Express, and regional tourism boards from Goa, Karnataka, MP, and UP, will all be present at the event, showcasing India’s diverse tourism offerings.

Emphasising on bridging the gap between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector during HRANI’s  11th Conclave in New Delhi, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI, said, “The direct linkage between hotels, restaurants, and FPOs is a game-changer for both sectors. This model not only ensures high-quality farm-fresh produce for the hotel industry but also enhances farmers’ income.”

Highlighting that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming the go-to tool for Indians, Mohit Joshi, Travel & Destinations Expert, Skyscanner, said, “A remarkable 84% of Indian travellers feel confident using AI tools for planning and booking their travels, with 52% using them for destination research, 50% for flight bookings, 48% for comparing flight and hotel options, and 46% seeking destination inspiration.”

Switzerland Tourism is organising an exclusive webinar today at 3 pm highlighting Schilthorn. At 2970m above sea level, the summit offers a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding region and a plethora of experiences. Attend all webinars and get a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

To strengthen its presence in the Indian market with its India Sales Mission 2025, Cross Hotels & Resorts started its three-city roadshow in India from 24 to 28 March in New Delhi, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru. The aim is to highlight the company’s expansion plans and new hotel developments in key destinations. A senior delegation of five people from Cross Hotels, including Chatchaya (Mai) Glaiprayong, Head- Global Sales, Cross Hotels & Resorts, Khata Sinhaseni, Cluster General Manager, Lumen Bangkok Udomsuk station, Nathkamolporn Pornanongyothin (Jum), Cluster Director- Sales & Marketing, Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin, Widy Antari, General Manager, Away Bali Legian Camakila, and Khata Sinhaseni, Cluster General Manager, Cross Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel attended the event, along with leading travel agents, tour operators and industry stakeholders. Through dedicated business meetings and networking sessions, the delegation aims to forge stronger partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration in India’s booming outbound travel market. The event highlighted the new property openings and discussed the company’s ambitious plans to grow its portfolio from 28 to 100 hotels by 2030. These developments reflect the company’s commitment to providing world-class hospitality experiences across Asia and beyond. Andrew Hartley, VP Commercial, Cross Hotels & Resorts, said, “India is one of our top three source markets, and we are targeting a 40% year-over-year growth from 2024 to 2025. This is the highest projected growth among all our regions. Indian travellers continue to choose our hotels across all our brands, reinforcing the importance of this market in our overall strategy.” “Our goal is to increase the number of Indian guests by 40% by the end of 2025, and we are achieving this through direct channels, expanding our distribution …

Highlighting the role of safety initiatives in enhancing Goa’s tourism appeal, Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Goa, said, “The state’s commitment to responsible and regenerative tourism extends to ensuring a secure experience for visitors. The integration of the 1364 tourist helpline and Pink Force reinforces our efforts in making the state a world-class, safe, and traveller-friendly destination.”

This summer, Indian travellers are opting for destinations that provide an escape from the ominous heat while offering visa-free travel. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE & Visa, Thomas Cook India, said, “Visa-free destinations are fuelling outbound travel demand. Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Maldives and Mauritius have seen robust growth due to ease of access.”

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) elections will be held on 10 May, 2025 at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. The elections will be conducted for the post of President and new Executive Committee Members. The next elected President will replace Rajiv Mehra, current President, IATO.

Los Angeles Tourism is back with Series 2 of its exclusive webinar for the travel trade on 27 March at 3 pm IST! Get the latest updates on the city’s top offerings and experiences. Participate in the quiz and win Amazon gift vouchers. For more information or to register, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.