Addressing the 13th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok, Sikkim via a virtual message, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said that hotel infrastructure in the Northeast is expanding at record speed, with over 3,000 new branded hotel keys expected across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, and Nagaland by 2030, reflecting strong investor confidence in the region.

IndiGo has commenced direct flights between Delhi and Manchester on 15 November, following the successful launch of its first-ever long-haul service connecting Mumbai and Manchester earlier this year. This new route operates five times weekly using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The service strengthens India-UK connectivity, boosting trade and tourism.

Valluru Kranthi, Managing Director, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), said, “Telangana must identify at least 150 potential weekend getaways and promote them effectively.” She noted that Telangana has already drawn ₹15,000 crore in investments across 31 tourism projects within months of launching its Tourism Policy 2025–2030. The state is currently developing nine tourism clusters, with plans to expand that to 27, backed by curated attractions and tailor-made travel packages.

DreamSetGo is now an official reseller for the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, offering travel packages that include premium accommodation, breakfast, and tournament tickets. The company, an Indian sports travel platform, will provide official experiences for the event, allowing fans to book packages that feature curated hospitality options and a chance to experience the tournament in Melbourne.  

Vietnam remains a top performer, attracting 443,000 Indian visitors in the first eight months of 2025 — a 42.2% rise from last year. Rising demand has prompted MakeMyTrip to roll out new packages to Phu Quoc, ahead of Air India Express’ direct flights. Rajesh Magow, CEO, said emerging destinations in Thailand and Vietnam are driving demand, while geopolitics has slowed travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey. The Philippines is also rebounding after lifting visa requirements for Indians.

To showcase the tourism potential of the Northeast to the world, Sikkim is set to host the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 13 to 16 at Gangtok. The event will be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim, in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. The annual flagship event aims to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region to domestic and international stakeholders. The Mart provides a platform to promote the Northeast’s rich natural beauty, vibrant cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities while encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth in tourism. Aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel for Life” initiative, the 13th ITM 2025 in Gangtok will highlight eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure as its core themes, underscoring Sikkim’s role as a torchbearer for sustainable tourism practices in India. This year’s ITM will welcome representatives from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The event will feature 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers, and 91 domestic sellers, fostering meaningful B2B interactions and global partnerships. A series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and product presentations will explore emerging opportunities in cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism. The event aims to strengthen networks among domestic and international stakeholders, encouraging investment and cooperation in the Northeast’s tourism sector. It serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a global tourism hub.

Baywatch Travels won the ‘Best in Tourism Customisation’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Accepting the honour, Manish Kriplani, Managing Director, Baywatch Travels, said, “This is not just an award, it reminds me of a lot more work to be done in the coming years and of the greater responsibility we hold towards the travel and tourism industry.”

Calling 2025 a “Year for Synergies”, Nutan Gupta, COO, EaseMyTrip, stressed the importance of startups and skill development in shaping India’s tourism future. She urged young professionals to consider tourism as a viable career path and contribute innovative ideas to the sector.

Radisson Hotel Group is accelerating its India expansion, with plans to reach over 200 unique locations in the coming years. The move will be driven by the rapid growth of tier II and tier III cities, improving connectivity, and rising demand from leisure and religious travel segments. “As airports grow from 75 to 150 and soon 250, we aim to be present at every key terminal city,” said Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO Chief, South Asia, RHG.

Tourist arrivals from India to Japan have surged by 37% this year, with 230,000 Indian visitors recorded between January and September, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. The figure has already surpassed the total number of Indian arrivals in 2024, reflecting the strengthening ties between India and Japan and growing interest among Indian travellers in Japanese destinations.