Category Archives: States

Nchumbemo Lotha, Secretary, Tourism Department, Nagaland, stated that the state will host the Femina Miss India event next year at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, scheduled for March or April. He said the tourism department has already met the organising team in Mumbai and is set to sign an MoU shortly. The venue’s complete renovation and upgradation is expected to finish by February next year.

In commemoration of International Men’s Day, GRT Hotels & Resorts hosted an interactive session as part of its proprietary wellness initiative, GReaT Being. The initiative aimed to prioritise men’s health and increase awareness of critical health issues. The flagship event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Suites GRT Chennai, featured an expert session led by Dr Vikas Mahajan, a veteran in the field. The discussion primarily revolved around causes and preventive measures for Prostate Cancer. The session saw active participation from all employees across 21 GRT properties and the Corporate Office, fostering a culture of proactive health management across the entire organisation. The event was also open to hotel guests, extending the health awareness initiative to the wider community. GReaT Being is our brand IP where we focus on wellness and health of our guests and colleagues,” said Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts. “We found it time-bound to discuss this particular topic — which is a silent killer and growing — to ensure our colleagues are informed and empowered to prioritise their well-being.” Through such focused events, GRT Hotels & Resorts continues its commitment to embedding health and well-being into its corporate culture, benefiting both its employees and the communities it serves.  

Niljyoti Travel Agency won the ‘Best Car Rental Company’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Receiving the award, Sanjib Acharjee, Founder, said, “Since 2007, we’ve pioneered efforts to showcase Tripura’s culture, scenic beauty, and heritage. This award is a proud testament to our commitment to transforming Tripura and the Northeast into must-visit destinations on India’s vibrant tourism map.”

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.