Category Archives: States

Inaugurating the second edition of Karnataka International Travel Expo 2025 in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka unveiled the Tourism Policy 2025-2029 and said, “With a budget of ₹1,350 crore, the state tourism policy will help in attracting around ₹8,000 crore as direct investment and generate employment opportunities to 1.5 lakh people in next four years.”

The Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Bhopal is set to open new avenues for tourism investment in Madhya Pradesh. The state’s new Tourism and Film Tourism Policies provide substantial incentives to investors. A streamlined “single-window system” ensures quick, transparent approvals for film shooting. The policy also includes grants for regional films in dialects like Malvi and Bundelkhandi, along with special incentives for children’s cinema and women-centric films. Additional grants are available for films based on the state’s cultural and historical legacy, as well as independent short films.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary for Tourism, emphasised that the tourism supply side is not growing due to unfavorable financial conditions. He urges tourism stakeholders to actively communicate their concerns to policymakers. He also emphasises that industry participation is crucial to shaping policies that drive growth. Encouraging states to adopt an entrepreneurial approach, he stressed the need for tourism to contribute beyond its current 5.04% of GDP.

According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 Report, cost remains a key factor for value-conscious Indians, with 62% stating that flight prices play a crucial role in their decision-making process. To address this, Skyscanner has introduced a new feature that offers users options to secure the best deals.

Highlighting the uniqueness of Odisha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism & Culture, GoI, says, “Odisha government must provide content to display at national tourism forums. We must establish the state’s flavours in the global market. Enhancing the tourism experience, expanding tourism product offerings, and developing holistic infrastructure are key to driving growth.”

Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, said, “Through our participation at ITB Berlin, we aim to forge meaningful partnerships and position Goa as a leading global tourism destination that prioritises responsible and conscious travel. Continuing its pitch of ‘Goa beyond beaches’, he added that the state is more than just a beach destination, it offers a deeper connection with nature and local communities.”

Addressing the Madhya Pradesh Global Investor Summit in Bhopal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that three sectors – textiles, tourism and technology- are “crucial” for India’s development as they will create more new jobs. He added that to boost the manufacturing sector, the government is strengthening local supply chains and promoting self-reliance, especially for MSMEs.

VisitBritain along with the British High Commission in Mumbai celebrated King’s birthday party. The event hosted 500 stakeholders and travel trade from VisitBritain, who experienced the best of the UK. The event highlighted themes of innovation, featuring visual assets from new ‘Starring Great Britain’ campaign.

Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked over ₹400 crore to boost religious tourism in the state budget for FY2025-26. To promote tourism, ₹150 crore of this budget has been set for Ayodhya while ₹125 crore has been allocated for Mathura, ₹100 crore for Naimisharanya, and ₹50 crore for Chitrakoot.

InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, and IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, in collaboration with Sahapedia, organised an enriching and immersive Heritage Walk in Lucknow under the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign. This specially curated walk was designed to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of Lucknow, showcasing the city’s deep history and expansive architecture. The ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign raises awareness about India’s cultural and historical legacy. It creates awareness and encourages dialogue and collaboration to preserve and protect the city’s tangible and intangible heritage, thus empowering local residents to rediscover the history and culture that surrounds their city. This initiative has already organised similar heritage walks in several cities, including Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, and most recently, Kozhikode. The walk titled ‘Awadhi Begum, Nawab aur British’ showcased Lucknow’s exciting history and explored the dynamic fusion of Mughal and Awadhi traditions that define its cultural heritage. The walk commenced at Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and concluded at Amir-ud-Daulah Park, passing through landmarks such as Sher Darwaza, Saadat Ali Khan Maqbara, Sapper’s Tomb, Butler Park, and more. The route explored the city’s cultural blend, as evident in its architecture, music, and cuisine. Led by conservation architect Nishant Upadhyay, the event was attended by members of the local community, government officials, media, and senior leadership of InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGo. Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “We are delighted to bring the Heritage Walk experience to the radiant city of Lucknow, where tradition blends perfectly with contemporary India. By exploring the historical landmarks and hidden gems of Lucknow, we hope to connect people with the city’s vibrant past and inspire them …