Category Archives: Agents

My Golf Tours, India’s leading golf tourism company with 15 years of expertise in inbound and outbound golf travel, has launched its highly anticipated “Incredible India Golf Vacations” brochure for the 2025–26 winter season. The launch highlights the company’s continued efforts to position India as a premier global golf tourism destination. The new brochure includes eight meticulously curated golf vacation programs covering India’s top golf courses, including heritage clubs and championship-level greens. These packages also integrate cultural sightseeing, regional cuisine experiences, Ayurveda wellness offerings, and encounters with Indian heritage and traditions—creating a comprehensive golf-plus travel experience. “Golf tourism is evolving. Travelers want more than a round—they want a rich experience. That’s what we’re delivering with this new brochure,” said Arun Iyer, Co-Founder of My Golf Tours. The past season saw strong participation from golfers across Europe, the UK, the USA, and the Middle East, underlining growing international interest in Indian golf vacations. In a strategic move to further global outreach, My Golf Tours will represent India as the sole supplier at the upcoming IAGTO North American Convention in Birmingham, Alabama (June 17–19, 2025). The company’s new brochure will be unveiled during the convention, introducing India to key global golf tour operators and suppliers. Founders Arun Iyer and Shyam have been instrumental in promoting India’s golf tourism potential at international trade shows and golf expos over the years. Their long-term goal remains to integrate India into the global circuit of 45 million vacationing golfers, contributing significantly to inbound tourism.

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, is steadily emerging as one of the East Coast’s most compelling tourism destinations. With its unique blend of natural beauty, local culture, and a thriving hospitality sector, the region is positioning itself as a go-to choice for both leisure and business travelers. Located just four hours from major metropolitan areas like New York City and Washington, DC, Happy Valley is capitalizing on its strategic location to attract visitors looking for authentic experiences away from the crowded cityscape. The Backbone of Tourism: Penn State University At the heart of Happy Valley is Penn State University, a key driver of tourism and local economic growth. Known not only for its academic excellence but also for its sports culture, the university draws thousands of visitors each year. Beaver Stadium, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions football team, is one of the largest stadiums in the country, with crowds that can exceed 100,000 on game days. In addition to sports tourism, Penn State’s numerous events—such as alumni reunions, academic conferences, and cultural festivals—serve as major attractions. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, for example, draws more than 125,000 visitors annually, highlighting the area’s commitment to community-driven experiences and its growing appeal as a cultural hub. A Thriving Hospitality Sector To meet the increasing demand from visitors, Happy Valley’s hospitality landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. The region now offers a range of accommodations—from boutique hotels in downtown State College to quaint bed-and-breakfasts nestled in the countryside. Local initiatives aimed at expanding lodging options are well underway, ensuring that Happy Valley remains competitive with other East Coast destinations. The hospitality sector’s growth is also tied to its strategic push for business tourism. With new investments in …

In its latest India Holiday Report, Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel states that 85% of Indians are planning to increase their frequency of holidays and a significant number intending to boost budgets by up to 50%. Experiential and event-led travel such as polar/ icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps and phenomenon travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom, Midnight Sun, etc.) are at the forefront of Indian travellers’ preferences. Phygital journeys, blending digital discovery with human touchpoints, continue to influence and drive bookings. Travellers are showing a clear inclination towards longer holidays – both domestic and international.”

Sharing the NTO’s plans for the India market, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, says, “India remains one of our most promising and priority markets for us. While 2024 saw a slower pace in inbound tourism with 9,600 arrivals, we are seeing early signs of recovery in 2025, with 3,600 Indian tourist entries recorded between January and April. Over the next two years, we aim to cross 100,000 Indian tourist arrivals, driven by improved connectivity, simplified visa, and curated experiences for families, luxury travellers, and film tourism.”

Launching the Maharashtra Convention Bureau, Indranil Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, says, “This marks a transformative moment for our state’s economic and cultural landscape. This initiative will serve as a catalyst across key sectors—from tourism and hospitality to higher education, manufacturing, and infrastructure. It will attract global thinkers, investors, and changemakers to Maharashtra, generating new opportunities for our youth, our entrepreneurs, and our communities. As Minister of State, I am proud to support this visionary step forward that will elevate Maharashtra as a premier destination not just for business, but for bold ideas and inclusive growth.”

Speaking about handling cancellations to Turkiye and Azerbaijan, Amit Thadani, Director of NiknAmiTravels, says, “We are working closely with airlines to secure full refunds where applicable and offering clients alternative travel options, ensuring minimal disruption to their plans. While our DMC partners on the ground have been extremely cooperative and supportive, challenges remain—particularly with some hotels not offering refunds for non-refundable bookings. We are addressing these complexities with our clients proactively and empathetically.”

IHCL announces the signing of a Gateway hotel in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “Nathdwara offers a unique blend of spirituality, culture, and scenic beauty, making it an ideal destination for pilgrims and tourists. This signing is in line with IHCL’s strategy to expand in key spiritual hubs. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Madan Singh Chauhan for this project.” The 101-key Gateway Nathdwara, Rajasthan, spanning over 6 acres in the heart of the destination. Guests can indulge in culinary experiences at the all-day dining restaurant, and specialty restaurant. The hotel will feature banqueting facilities, including over 8,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space as well as an outdoor lawn spanning 10,000 sq. ft. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a fitness centre. Madan Singh Chauhan said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL to introduce the Gateway brand to Nathdwara. This hotel will enhance the hospitality landscape of the temple town.” Nestled in the Aravalli Hills, Nathdwara is a prominent pilgrimage and tourist destination. While deeply spiritual, the town also draws visitors with its rich cultural heritage, serene surroundings, and traditional Rajasthani hospitality. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 31 hotels in Rajasthan including 8 under development.  

FLY91 will soon have direct flights between Goa and Solapur, further strengthening its commitment to enhancing last-mile air connectivity across underserved regions in India. With this addition, FLY91 connects eight destinations across the country, including four in Maharashtra, namely Pune, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg and now, Solapur. Bookings for the Goa–Solapur route have gone live. By offering a safe, time-efficient and reliable mode of transport, FLY91 has made Goa’s vibrant tourism and Solapur’s spiritual and industrial potential easily accessible for travellers from both regions. Solapur, a key textile and industrial centre in south-western Maharashtra, also serves as the gateway to five pilgrimage sites in the state. With FLY91’s direct flights from Goa, travellers and pilgrims can now access religious and cultural heritage destinations such as Pandharpur (Vitthal-Rukmini Temple), Tuljapur (Tulja Bhavani Temple), Akkalkot (Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple), Gangapur (Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Math) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. “The launch of the Goa–Solapur route will highlight FLY91’s focus on improving connectivity to traditionally underserved destinations,” said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91. “Solapur is not only a key centre of industry but also a critical node in Maharashtra’s pilgrimage circuit. Our flights will make it easier for pilgrims, as well as business and leisure travellers alike, to move between these regions comfortably,” he further stated.

IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings mark another industry-first milestone with the announcement of commencement of commercial flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This partnership will fuel aviation growth in the country, making it a key driver for India to become the third largest aviation economy by 2030. IndiGo will operate 18 daily departures (36 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs)) from NMIA to over 15 cities from day one, making it the first airline to commit to operating from NMIA at the start of commercial operations. This will be increased to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international departures by November ’25, and further scaled up to over 100 daily departures (200 ATMS) by March ’26. By November ’26, the operations will be further built up to 140 daily departures (280 ATMs) including 30 international departures. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: “IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India’s booming aviation sector. The new flights from the brand-new NMIA will elevate the travel experience of our customers while enjoying affordable, on-time hassle-free services on our unparalleled network.” Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL said, “We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, …

Speaking about the hotel group’s performance for FY 2025, Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels, said, “Our asset-right model has enabled us to sign a record number of new deals, taking our pipeline to over 30+ properties, across segments and brands. The successful opening of 14 new Regenta hotels with 963+ keys has further strengthened our presence in the midscale and value segment. We are diversifying our portfolio with new brands catering to different segments and look forward to the opening of Iconiqa Hotel Mumbai International Airport, which is a category defining upscale lifestyle hotel in India.”