Category Archives: States

Skyscanner’s new ‘Travel Trends Report’ unveiled Shillong as the most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025. The report, which offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, also revealed that 66% of Indians plan to “travel more” in the coming year.

Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre – Managed by Accor, announced key appointments to its leadership team. Manik Vishnoi has been appointed as the new Director of Operations, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in the Food & Beverage industry, having worked with brands like Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Throughout his career, he has managed diverse teams across various cities. His journey includes positions at Hyatt Regency New Delhi, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, JW Marriott Mumbai, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity & Marriott Jaipur Convention Centre. Manik’s experience spans key locations such as Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata, allowing him to cultivate a deep understanding of regional tastes and service styles. Most recently, he served as the Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Regency Kolkata, West Bengal. His expertise includes managing topline budgeting, revenue strategy, F&B promotions, along with cost control, pricing, guest satisfaction, and team development, making him a valuable asset to the company. Neha Choudhary joins as the Marketing & Communications Manager, bringing over 14 years of experience, including 10 years in journalism with leading publications like The Times of India Jaipur, Daily News and Analysis, and Rajasthan Patrika. After transitioning into corporate communications at AU Small Finance Bank, Neha moved into the hospitality sector, taking on marketing and communications at DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur Amer. Her shift into hospitality has brought a fresh perspective, blending her expertise in content writing, public relations, marketing, and brand-building. Neha’s strategic leadership will be pivotal in driving the marketing efforts of this massive hotel complex and enhancing the brand image. Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as the …

Giving a big boost to its globally-acclaimed Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, the Kerala Government has approved a raft of projects worth Rs 6.64 crore for implementing various initiatives in different destinations in the state. The projects are aimed at bolstering and diversifying the offerings under the Responsible Tourism initiative during 2024-25, with emphasis on sustainability and inclusiveness. As per the Government Orders (GOs) issued in this regard, the total amount of Rs 66,499,621 approved by the government for these initiatives include Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission, besides enhancing the facilities and services in the destinations concerned as the main thrust. This includes the government’s earlier approval of Rs 89,81,240 lakh for materializing first phase of RT Mission Society projects in 2024 – 25. The destinations benefiting from the initiative include RT Mission Society Training Centre at Kumarakom and Beypore Integrated RT Development Project. Of the amount, the Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission will get Rs 1,81,09,000 while approval has been given for Rs 1,15,00,000 for implementing Beypore Integrated RT Development Project. “The RT initiative is going to be the driver of Kerala Tourism in the future. In 2023, Kanthalloor village in Idukki was recognised by the Govt. of India for its sustainable and inclusive STREET tourism project with the Gold Award for Best Rural Tourism Project. This year, RT projects in Kadalundi and Kumarakom won the National Awards for best Rural Tourism and best Agri-Tourism villages respectively,” Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said.

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual Adventure Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3rd to 8th December 2024. The six-day convention will bring together adventure tourism professionals from across the country to explore and highlight Arunachal’s immense potential as India’s next premier adventure destination. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu firmly believes that the state holds incredible promise as India’s leading adventure tourism destination and expressed optimism that the convention will showcase the untapped opportunities Arunachal has to offer, bringing both economic growth and global recognition of Arunachal. State’s Tourism Minister P D Sona too underscores the importance of investment in adventure tourism that will not only drive economic development but also preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He is of the opinion that nurturing sustainable tourism will create a bright future for India as a global adventure hub. The convention will feature a packed schedule of sessions, panel discussions, and awards recognising excellence in the industry. Adventure tourism leaders from across India will join local operators to foster partnerships, with an aim to create sustainable tourism models for Arunachal and beyond. Exclusive familiarisation (FAM) trips will allow attendees to explore the state’s breath-taking, unexplored terrains, showcasing its adventure potential. Preceding the convention, a specialised adventure guide training programme will be held in Itanagar, the state’s capital, led by experts to help build local capacity and professionalism in the adventure tourism sector. The unveiling of ATOAI’s roadmap for Arunachal Pradesh will further outline future growth and investment opportunities in the region. As per Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, the association is dedicated to making India one of the world’s premier destinations …

The 3rd Edition of the Autumn Festival, a precursor to the landmark 25th Edition of the iconic Hornbill Festival, concluded with grand success at Nagaland House on Sunday, 20 October. Organised by Nagaland Tourism in collaboration with the Chief Resident Commissioner of Nagaland House, and with the invaluable support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the festival brought Nagaland’s rich cultural diversity to life over three vibrant days. From 18 to 20 October, visitors were treated to an immersive experience of Nagaland’s finest offerings in food, textiles, handicrafts, art, and music. The festival also showcased an impressive line-up of esteemed artists, local enterprises, and cultural treasures. Notable among them was Kintem, the renowned textile brand, which wowed audiences with a stunning fashion show, reflecting Nagaland’s artistic prowess and deep-rooted traditions.   BL Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Social Justice and Empowerment, graced the inaugural function along with Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as the chief guest, and Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru in India, as the honoured guests for Day 1. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, who served as the Chief Guest, in her address, Sinha applauded the significant contributions of the Northeastern states, saying, “The Hornbill Festival has earned its place as a cherished cultural event, a brand that has come to symbolise the vibrancy of Nagaland. I hope the Autumn Festival gives Delhi’s residents a glimpse of Nagaland’s extraordinary handloom, handicraft, and culinary traditions, inspiring many to join us in celebrating the grand 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival in Kisama, Nagaland.” Day 2 was …

Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of its newest property in Rishikesh, located in the serene and spiritual heart of Uttarakhand. Nestled in the prime location of Upper Tapovan on the Badrinath Highway, the new Stone Wood Rishikesh offers an unparalleled blend of modern amenities and natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure. This new hotel offers easy access to the region’s most iconic attractions, including the famous Laxman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, Ram Jhula, Beatles Ashram, and several rafting points along the Ganges. Conveniently situated just 8.7 kilometers from Rishikesh Railway Station and 23 kilometers from Jolly Grant Airport, Stone Wood Rishikesh is ideally placed for visitors to explore Rishikesh and the nearby town of Haridwar. The property features 37 spacious and well-appointed rooms, each designed to provide comfort and relaxation with private balconies, high-speed Wi-Fi, LED TVs, tea/coffee makers, and more. Guests will also enjoy a variety of premium amenities, including a multicuisine restaurant offering Indian, Chinese, and Western dishes, a coffee shop, and an inviting swimming pool. Stone Wood Rishikesh also boasts a luxurious spa, indoor games for children, banquet spaces, and conference facilities, catering to a wide range of guest needs—from family vacations to business conferences. “As we expand into Rishikesh, we are excited to offer guests a unique stay that combines the comforts of home with the luxuries of a resort in one of India’s most spiritually significant and naturally beautiful locations,” said Shikhar Kumar, MD, Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts. “Our goal is to elevate the travel experience in Rishikesh, catering to the diverse needs of families, solo travellers, and adventure enthusiasts,” he added. With this …

The winners of the contest will get a chance to win free tickets to India’s first astro tourism campaign Nakshatra Sabha Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in collaboration with Starscapes, India’s leading astro tourism company, announced the launch of the Nakshatra Sabha astro photography contest, inviting astronomy enthusiasts to capture the beauty of the cosmos. The winner will have the opportunity to win an exclusive ticket to the Nakshatra Sabha, a collaborative astro tourism campaign by Uttarakhand Tourism Board and Starscapes. This initiative is part of the Nakshatra Sabha campaign, which will run throughout the year until mid-2025. The campaign features a series of immersive events held at dark sky locations across Uttarakhand, including the stunning locales of Benital, Pithoragarh, Nainital, and the renowned Kartiswamy temple in Rudraprayag. Each location is thoughtfully selected to highlight the unique characteristics of the region, providing participants with extraordinary celestial views. As part of the contest, participants are encouraged to submit their best astronomy-related photographs, showcasing their creativity and passion for the night sky. The grand prize includes a ticket to Nakshatra Sabha, offering an opportunity for winners to engage with astronomy experts and fellow enthusiasts during an unforgettable experience under the stars. The contest, with a prize pool of ₹5,00,000, offers the highest-ever rewards in the field of astrophotography in India. Each category features exciting prizes: the first prize includes ₹25,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to any Nakshatra Sabha event, covering flights, accommodations, meals, and local travel—valued at ₹75,000. The second prize offers ₹15,000 along with the same all-expenses-paid trip, while the third prize consists of ₹10,000 and the all-expenses-paid trip to Nakshatra Sabha. Entries open on 20th October 2024, and the submission deadline …

To highlight Goa as an international tourist destination, the state is planning to conduct roadshows in Poland, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. The state’s tourism department is expected to spend ₹2 crore on the roadshows to enhance the foreign tourist influx attracting visitors of all segments and ages.

Maharashtra government released ₹72.45 crore for the development of eco-tourism in the state recently. Out of ₹273 crore allotted by the state for the period 2024-25 to develop tourism sites, ₹101.31 was released between May to September. Overall, 30 eco-tourism sites will benefit under this.

Uttar Pradesh’s upcoming airport Noida International Airport (DXN) will commence commercial flights to domestic and international destinations on 17 April 2025. Airlines have submitted applications for international destinations, with route approvals contingent on bilateral licensing agreements.