Category Archives: States

Tshering Thendup Bhutia, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Sikkim, said, “The state government has been working closely with local tourism stakeholder associations, recognising them as key drivers in promoting the state’s tourism growth. We have plans to develop tourism in the state across new segments, including MICE, wellness, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and wedding destinations.” Bhutia added, “These initiatives aim to broaden the state’s tourism offerings while strengthening partnerships with industry players to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Andhra Pradesh is accelerating tourism growth through strong public-private partnerships, said Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography. The state has granted industry status to tourism and is finalising a new policy focused on inclusive development. The upcoming policy aims to create a favourable environment for investors, boost employment opportunities, and ensure active community participation in tourism initiatives.

Air India Express expands its network, adding Nagpur to its route map with twice-daily flights to Bengaluru, starting 1 December, alongside the introduction of new international services to Abu Dhabi from Delhi and Pune, from 2 December.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Uttarakhand’s rapid tourism growth during the state’s Silver Jubilee celebration in Dehradun, noting the surge from 4,000 tourists in six months to the same number daily. He encouraged the state to position itself as India’s “Spiritual Capital” in the coming years and inaugurated or laid foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹8,140 crore.

Kerala Tourism is working to position the state as India’s leading workation destination, said  Mohammed Riyas, Tourism Minister, after a high-level planning meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. Officials from the tourism, IT, and hospitality sectors discussed strategies to enhance infrastructure and interdepartmental coordination. The roadmap will be submitted to the CM, aiming to blend leisure, innovation, and remote work experiences.

Meghalaya has unveiled its new tourism identity, ‘Symphony in the Mist’, a brand that captures its serene beauty. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone for the ₹233 crore Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit in Meghalaya under the PM-DevINE scheme, aiming to transform Sohra (Cherrapunjee) into a model for responsible tourism. This would serve as a benchmark for responsible tourism across India and is expected to redefine eco-tourism standards and position Sohra as a global destination for nature lovers and cultural explorers.