Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in partnership with the Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE) 2025 will be held from 26 to 28 February 2025. The Expo offers opportunity to connect with 150+ International buyers from 25+ countries and 250+ Indian buyers.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree announced that it has started accepting reservations for stays from 2 April 2025. Singapore’s newest resort is located a short drive from the city centre and is nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve where visitors can immerse in nature while providing easy access to renowned zoological parks – Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild Asia. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree features a variety of room and suite categories – from standard rooms and suites to family rooms with a bunk bed that offer views of the rainforest, garden and the Upper Seletar Reservoir, while uniquely designed treehouses, each with a private patio, provide a tranquil retreat for couples. Highlights of the resort include: ● 338 guest rooms and suites including 24 treehouses ● Unobstructed views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir from the rooftop pool ● Two dining experiences – Forage and Planter’s Shed. Overlooking the tranquil reservoir is specialty restaurant, Forage, which offers a ‘Trust the Chef’ menu and a delicious array of fresh, daily sourced ingredients which include produce from the resort’s rooftop edible garden. Planter’s Shed is an all-day dining restaurant featuring local and international cuisine with buffet options for breakfast and dinner, as well as live cooking stations and roving tableside service for an interactive dining experience. Ala carte menus are available at lunch time. ● The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa with invigorating spa treatments to restore both mind and body. Services include detoxifying body wraps crafted with natural ingredients like turmeric and ginger or signature massages that enhance circulation and alleviate muscle fatigue. ● Bring home a meaningful keepsake from the Banyan …

During ITSA-Amity Regional Conference for Asia 2025, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India, said, “We have launched a Green Leaf Rating system for tourist infrastructure, including hotels and homestays. This initiative introduces global star ratings, ranging from 1 to 5 stars, based on sustainability practices. Through this, government aims to incentivise eco-friendly measures, promoting responsible tourism for a greener future.”

Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) celebrates 10th Anniversary, unveiling a new executive team to be led by Nitin Mittal. The committee includes Gajesh Girdhar, Rakesh Arora, Gurmeet Singh Chhatwal, Anup Tarafdar, Ram Kumar, Ajay Sehgal, Kapil Arora, Amar Sahu, Ranveer Singh, Jatin Mehta, Jai Aggarwal and Jyoti Monga.

India is about to witness 29 million outbound trips by 2025, according to Expedia report with 13.9 million leisure departures resulting in 19.4 million Indian arrivals abroad, fuelled by travellers from tier II and III cities. The study highlights that business travel will contribute 26 per cent of outbound trips. Furthermore, India’s outbound tourism market is projected to generate US$62 billion in revenue by 2026.

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines. Once in Switzerland, travellers can enjoy their holiday booked by their travel agent through TourFox, a B2B supplier wholly owned by SWISS. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Hailing Union Budget 2025, Hussain Patel, Director, TripJack, said, “The Union Budget 2025 reaffirms the government’s strategic vision to position India as a world-class tourism destination while driving employment-led growth. The initiative to develop 50 top tourist destinations in partnership with states, backed by improved infrastructure and inclusion of hotels in the infrastructure HML framework, will significantly enhance the country’s hospitality ecosystem. The emphasis on skill development through Institutes of Hospitality Management, easier access to MUDRA loans for homestays, and enhanced connectivity to tourist sites will empower local communities and entrepreneurs, creating sustainable employment opportunities.” He added, “Performance-linked incentives for states to strengthen destination management—covering aspects such as tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing—will ensure a superior travel experience for visitors. The continued focus on spiritual and religious tourism, particularly destinations associated with Lord Buddha’s life and legacy, aligns with India’s rich cultural and heritage-driven tourism potential. Simplified e-visa procedures and visa-fee waivers for select tourist groups will also make India more accessible to global travellers, reinforcing its position as a vibrant and diverse tourism hub.”

With the announcement of the Union Budget 2025, the tourism and hospitality sector witnessed a new dawn of hope for tourism activities in India, specially for infrastructure development. Appreciating the budget, K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI, said, “The plan to develop the top 50 tourism destinations in partnership with state governments is a major initiative. This collaboration will not only improve infrastructure but also help spread tourism across the country, attracting more visitors and benefiting local communities. Additionally, the inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list and the granting of infrastructure status to the hospitality sector is a significant move. This aligns with our long-standing request for granting of Infrastructure Status to the hospitality industry. This will facilitate access to cheaper, long-term financing, enabling hotels in these newly developed destinations to upgrade their facilities and offer world-class services, further boosting the sector.” He further added, “The focus on medical and wellness tourism through the ‘Heal-in-India’ initiative in the Union Budget 2025 is a forward-thinking move that will strengthen India’s position as a global leader in healthcare. India has already earned a reputation for providing world-class medical treatments at a fraction of the cost found in developed countries. By promoting ‘Heal-in-India,’ the government aims to further capitalise on this strength, attracting international patients seeking affordable, high-quality healthcare services. This initiative will not only boost medical and wellness tourism but will also create a platform for India’s healthcare industry to expand its global footprint. With the support of the government, healthcare facilities across the country will be encouraged to offer specialised treatments and services, making India an attractive destination for patients from both developed and developing nations.” He also highlighted, “The introduction …

Speaking during Kerala Tourism Partnership Meet 2025, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister, Kerala, revealed that Kerala Tourism will showcase new summer holiday products before the domestic tourists targeting school holidays and families in their upcoming campaign. The focus will be on North Kerala, especially Bekal, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, besides lesser-known destinations with vastly improved infrastructure.

The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi witnessed remarkable growth with the Emirate’s hotels welcoming 4.8 million guests and a 26 per cent increase in international guests year-to-date (YTD) as of October 2024. The international visitors were predominantly from 26 key source markets, including India, China, Russia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia.