Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

 From 9–13 June, New York City Tourism + Conventions successfully held its first-ever India Business Expo, bringing together 14 key Indian travel trade professionals for three impactful days of business development, destination discovery, and cultural exchange. Over 30 member businesses across all five boroughs took part in the mission, representing a mix of iconic attractions and new experiences. Leading hospitality players also participated, highlighting the city’s robust offering for Indian outbound travellers. The itinerary featured one-on-one meetings, a Broadway show, Five Borough Marketplace buyers meet, and visits to top cultural and lifestyle attractions—giving Indian buyers a deeper understanding of New York City’s tourism appeal. Highlights included a private screening of “Encounters in the Milky Way” at the American Museum of Natural History, an exclusive Broadway Night featuring Q&As with cast members from Aladdin and The Lion King, and a behind-the-scenes “Wild Encounter” at the Bronx Zoo with a sloth and armadillo—memorable moments that brought NYC’s vibrancy and storytelling to life. Reflecting on the success of the market’s inaugural Business Expo, Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development, said, “India continues to be one of New York City’s most promising and engaged visitor markets. The 2025 India Business Expo was a resounding success – not only did it strengthen relationships with our key trade partners, but it also gave us the opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of experiences across the five boroughs. We’re excited about the continued growth from India and remain committed to fostering long-term collaboration with this market.” New York City is home to the world’s busiest airport system and remains the number one port of entry for U.S. international travelers. The city welcomed 64.5 …

Destination DC has announced the relaunch of its Washington, DC Special Agent Academy, complete with an exciting new incentive for travel professionals in India. This interactive, online training program empowers agents with the knowledge and resources they need to expertly sell Washington, DC as a premier U.S. travel destination. As part of this relaunch, Indian travel professionals who complete the Special Agent Academy by 31st July 2025 will be eligible to win Amazon gift vouchers worth Rs. 3000. Participants must successfully complete the academy’s three engaging ‘Core Missions’ to earn the coveted title of Washington, DC Special Agent: Mission Information: Essential details about Washington, DC. Mission 3M’s: Monuments, Memorials, and Museums—exploring DC’s most iconic attractions. Mission There’s Only 1 DC: Understanding what makes Washington, DC truly unique. Why Enroll?By becoming a certified Washington, DC Special Agent, travel professionals will: Enhance their expertise in the U.S. capital, becoming trusted advisors for clients planning American holidays. Unlock access to exclusive discounts and rewards for themselves and their clients. Stand a chance to win Amazon gift vouchers worth up to Rs. 3000. Travel professionals can register for the Washington, DC Special Agent Academy today by visiting washington.org/traveltrade/special-agent-academy. Complete all three missions by 31st July 2025 to qualify for this limited-time incentive

Stating that overcrowding is straining destinations, WTTC addresses overcrowding in its latest report titled Managing Destination Overcrowding and urges public and private stakeholders to adopt a proactive, evidence-based approach to sustainable tourism management. The paper outlines six key actions for this that includes reinvesting in destination health and implementing robust monitoring and early warning systems.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever India Travel Trade Hub—a dedicated online platform created exclusively for the Indian travel trade community. This initiative serves as a comprehensive one-stop resource for travel advisors, tour operators, and MICE planners across India, offering the tools, insights, and support needed to promote and sell Los Angeles more effectively. The hub provides a curated experience tailored to the Indian market, featuring: Ready-to-sell itineraries DMC list Digital brochures and destination videos Trade-exclusive offers including the LA Perks Pass Training modules and webinars Offline events and trainings “India continues to be a key growth market for Los Angeles, and we are thrilled to deepen our engagement with the launch of this dynamic, first-of-its-kind Travel Trade Hub” said Seema Kadam, Regional Director, Los Angeles Tourism India.” This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting our trade partners with simplified tools and insights that make selling Los Angeles easier, more effective, and more rewarding.” This strategic step aligns with Los Angeles Tourism’s ongoing efforts to deepen engagement in India, enhance destination knowledge, and support the trade with best-in-class selling tools. This also aligns perfectly with Los Angeles’ exciting trajectory, as the city prepares to host a series of global, marquee events—including the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. Major cultural and infrastructure developments such as the opening of Destination Crenshaw, a celebration of Black art and culture, and the ongoing transformation of LAX airport, are also expected to enhance the visitor experience. Visit the India Trade Hub or the QR code.

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) had the honour of meeting Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister for Culture & Tourism , to discuss key matters impacting India’s outbound tourism industry. The discussion focused on the TCS (Tax Collected at Source) issue, where the Minister gave his valuable time and attention to the concerns raised by the OTOAI delegation. The meeting reflected the Ministry’s openness to dialogue and the importance of supporting the travel trade sector. OTOAI also extended a formal invitation to the Minister to attend the upcoming OTOAI Moscow Convention 2025 as the Guest of Honour, further strengthening the association’s vision of collaboration with the government. The meeting was represented by OTOAI leadership, including Immediate Past President Riaz Munshi, Vice President Shravan Bhalla, General Secretary Sidharth Khanna, and Executive Committee Member Vineet Gopal. This marks another significant step in OTOAI’s efforts to advocate for India’s growing outbound tourism industry.

As fireworks burst across the National Mall next Friday night, the countdown to America’s 250th in the nation’s capital will begin with a flourish. Washington, DC will serve as center stage for the national celebration in 2026, with the city’s international symbols of American independence, rich history and local culture at the heart of the festivities. Major new openings across the city – including an immersive museum underneath the Lincoln Memorial, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, renovations to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and completion of the National Air and Space Museum – combined with a full calendar of special events, festivals and exhibitions – make Washington, DC the place to be all year. “Throughout 2026, nowhere will the celebration for America’s 250th be more spectacular than the nation’s capital,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “There’s only one place visitors will find the complete package for the occasion: special programming, can’t-miss experiences, new attractions, excitement, value, the Declaration of Independence itself, and ways to learn about its impact on different segments of the population.” Destination DC and a growing list of more than 75 participating organizations from the local tourism and hospitality community are planning an inclusive, citywide celebration, extending from the National Mall to the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, places and people.

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said: “Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.” The service start date will be announced later.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), in collaboration with the Centre County Commissioners, has announced the allocation of over USD 1.1 million in tourism grant funding for the fiscal year 2025–26. This marks the highest grant distribution in the program’s history, supporting a total of 81 projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing travel experiences and encouraging visitation to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. “Topping the one-million-dollar mark is a tremendous milestone for the Tourism Grant Program,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of HVAB. “It’s a visible example of how a strong tourism economy, particularly through overnight stays, benefits our entire community.” The announcement took place at Rolling Rails Lodge in Port Matilda under the theme “Tourism in Bloom.” The initiative underscores HVAB’s commitment to nurturing local attractions, cultural events, and hospitality-focused development across the region. Out of the 81 projects funded, 11 come from first-time applicants, including the Happy Valley Latin Festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. “We’re thrilled to receive this Tourism Marketing Grant,” said Ady Martinez, Festival Director. “Thanks to this support, we’ll be able to reach a wider audience for our bilingual, inclusive celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture, taking place on September 20 during Hispanic Heritage Month.” The Centre County Commissioner Chair, Mark Higgins, emphasized the scale of the region’s tourism growth. “It is exciting to see total tourism revenue for Centre County exceed $1 billion and the Tourism Grant pool cross $1 million. These grants directly enhance visitor experiences and enrich local life,” he stated. Other beneficiaries include the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, which received dual grants to market its heritage train rides, especially the Christmas rides that draw significant local participation. “These funds are vital for attracting visitors from …

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India successfully hosted the Korea MICE Roadshow 2025 on June 5 in Mumbai. The event aimed to spotlight Korea’s growing appeal as a destination for MICE travel, and to strengthen connections with India’s travel trade and corporates. The roadshow highlighted key offerings, including Korea’s incentive support program, MICE group visa facilitation, and robust convention infrastructure. KTO also emphasized the comprehensive support extended to Indian MICE groups traveling to Korea—such as the Korea MICE Group Visa, which includes visa fee waivers, express processing, and simplified documentation for eligible groups. Additionally, KTO showcased details of its MICE Support Program, which ranges from souvenirs and destination experience fees to customized support for gala dinners, performances, charter buses, K-pop booths, K-food trucks, and video highlights of the trip. Support is tiered based on group size and requirements, with optional inclusions like team-building activities, welcome receptions, and cultural experiences. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, remarked, “It was a pleasure to see such strong participation in Mumbai, with over 150 attendees including MICE travel agents, corporates, and media. This level of interest reflects the growing curiosity about Korea as a compelling new destination for business and incentive travel. With our dedicated support programs, we are confident Korea will become a preferred choice for the Indian market.” A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of Indian actress and Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, Hina Khan, who was officially appointed by KTO on May 9, 2025, at a ceremony held at the KTO Seoul Center (HiKr Ground). She recently returned from a KTO-hosted FAM trip across Seoul, Gangwon State, and Incheon. The event concluded with a KTO …

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 …