Oyo is entering the food and beverage (F&B) market, aiming to increase hotel revenue by 5-10 per cent by introducing in-house kitchens and quick service restaurant (QSR) concepts across 1,500 of its company-services hotels by FY26. This initiative, called ‘Townhouse Cafe,’ will offer in-house dining options, pantry-style setups, and quick service carts. 

Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Jabalpur, marking the brand’s entry into Madhya Pradesh’s thriving commercial and cultural hub, Jabalpur. The launch marks a significant milestone as the city’s first internationally branded hotel, bringing Hilton’s globally recognised brand to the region. The 101-room new-build property has been developed in partnership with Ajay Satya Prakash Hospitality LLP.

Starting from May 2025, India will issue chip-based biometric e-passports, which  will feature RFID chip containing biometric data with the aim to enhance security and reducing fraud. The announcement marks the formal transition of India into the league of technologically advanced nations like Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who have already adopted biometric-based travel documents to bolster security and efficiency.

As per HVS Anarock April 2025 report, Indian hotels’ occupancy growth trends in March 2025 showed a mixed pattern across key Indian markets, with Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram emerging as the top gainers. However, strong year-on-year Average Room Rate (ARR) growth (₹9,000–₹9,200) was recorded with Hyderabad at the top.

As per IATA’s global passenger demand report of March 2025, international demand rose to 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024. Additionally, capacity was up by 7 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was recorded 79.9 per cent. Domestic passenger demand rose 0.9 per cent compared to March 2024.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India, emphasised on the critical role of the MICE and exhibition industry in boosting tourism and the wider economy. “Studies and analysis suggest that a business traveller attending an exhibition often spends significantly more than a leisure tourist over seven days. This is a clear signal that we stand at the threshold of a sector brimming with immense opportunities,” he added.

Oman is intensifying efforts to draw more global travellers, including Indian travellers as part of its long-term sustainable tourism initiative aimed at reaching approximately 11.7 million visitors annually by 2040, according to Mohamed bin Mahmoud al Zadjali, Adviser to the Minister of Heritage and Tourism for Engineering Affairs, Oman.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a series of strategic partnerships at Arabian Travel Market 2025, targeted to drive tourism growth and enhance visitor experiences across key international markets. The new initiatives span collaborations with leading travel operators, hotel groups and destination management companies and will focus on attracting visitors from Europe, Saudi Arabia, India and other key markets, while showcasing Abu Dhabi’s diverse offerings and year-round appeal. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said, “The strategic partnerships signed at Arabian Travel Market 2025 represent a significant step forward in our efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a world-class tourism destination. Targeted collaborations across Europe, Saudi Arabia, India and other key markets, enable us to enhance Abu Dhabi’s international profile and reinforcing its appeal as a dynamic, year-round destination. Globally and locally, these partnerships underline our commitment to sustainable growth, offering unique, tailored experiences that resonate with diverse global audiences, while ensuring the long-term resilience and innovation of the sector.” Strengthening European Connections DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to strengthening its connections with European markets, recognising the region’s importance as a key source of international visitors. Loop Leisure Autumn 2025 : An agreement has been signed with Loop Leisure to host Loop Leisure Autumn 2025 from 12 – 16 October at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi. The announcement comes after Abu Dhabi hosted Loop Beyond Borders event which hosted travel agents from across Central and Eastern Europe in 2024. The Autumn edition will welcome 130 high-end travel agents, tour operators, and media from largely German-speaking markets with participants hailing from Germany, Switzerland, …

Mugdha Sinha takes charge as new Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). In her new role, she will oversee ITDC’s diverse verticals, including The Ashok Group of Hotels. On this occasion, she said, “My focus will be on modernising operations, enhancing the tourism and hospitality experience and building a globally competitive brand rooted in India’s rich cultural heritage.”

According to Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, Booking.com, there has been a shift how seniors travel. In 2025, Indian Baby Boomers are leading the way, with 37% choosing to invest in bucket-list trips rather than leaving inheritances. This generational shift is driving increased demand for travel experiences among older adults.