Speaking about the suggestions HAI proposed to the MOT, KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), and President, HAI, said, “Government has to tweak some of the policies, particularly to give infrastructure status to the tourism sector, and for talent development.”

Abu Dhabi Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on Al Ain city, the thrilling new attractions it has to offer, exciting adventures, and authentic Emirati hospitality that your clients can enjoy. Tune in on July 4 at 3 pm. To register and get more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Addressing the ‘Eco-Tourism Samvad,’ Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh, said, “There is immense tourism potential in UP. Last year, the state witnessed the arrival of 48 crore tourists. UP offers a myriad of offerings such as spiritual tourism, heritage, and eco-tourism. An average of 1.5-2 lakh tourists alone visit Ayodhya daily.”

Following the 39th IATO Convention, Madhya Pradesh aims to claim the top spot in India’s tourism, under the guidance of Sheo Shekhar Shukla, MD of State Tourism Board. Highlighting the preparedness for 1,000 inbound operators, Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman, IATO MP Chhattisgarh Chapter, expressed belief that they will achieve the target.

FHRAI reiterated one of its key requests in the pre-budget meeting conducted by the Finance Ministry to grant infrastructure status for hotels across all categories and convention centres built at a project cost of ₹10 crore and above to give a fillip to the budget segment in the industry, along with 12 per cent GST rate across all hotels.

From January to May 2024, Singapore welcomed over 5 lakh Indians. “To draw more visitors from the country, Singapore will hold a multi-city roadshow from July 8-12 in Chennai, followed by Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad,” said Markus Tan, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia and Africa, STB.

Lords Hotels & Resorts is making significant strides in its 2024 expansion strategy with the recent acquisition of a new property in Purulia, West Bengal. The upcoming Lords Eco Inn Purulia will open in early 2025 and feature elegantly designed rooms. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of enticing amenities including a restaurant and rooftop lounge, Additionally, the hotel will proudly offer two opulent banquet halls designed to accommodate conferences & weddings making it a versatile destination for business, celebrations, and leisure travellers. Lords Eco Inn Purulia is conveniently located and well connected by road and rail. The nearest airport to Lords Eco Inn Purulia is Ranchi, located 140 km away, while Kolkata is 250 km and Jamshedpur is just 90 km away​ from the property Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture. We thank our new partners for their trust in us, as we seek to affiliate with more such owners to offer Lord’s exhilarating hospitality to business and leisure travellers. Vikas Suri, Vice President Operations & Development, commented on the new acquisition stating “To maximize further growth and expansion opportunities, we are delighted to consolidate our presence in West Bengal with the opening of our second property in this region. The Hotel will offer top-class accommodation and the finest services at competitive rates. Suri also expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration: “This partnership marks a significant milestone for us, and we are excited to work together to bring exceptional hospitality services to Purulia.” Roushan Kumar , General Manager Development stated, Our commitment is to deliver warm hospitality to travellers exploring this city as we strive to expand our presence …

Tourism in Himachal Pradesh has seen a surge this year. By May 2024, the state recorded over 7.4 million tourists. This marks a rise of 3.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Solan district has emerged as the destination with the highest tourist arrival surpassing Shimla. Kasauli and Chail are also gaining popularity.

Speaking about MICE, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Tourism, said, “It is a big opportunity and there is a need to bring the biggest conferences of the world here, to show the size of India’s offerings. With world-class conferencing infrastructure like Bharat Mandapam, we need to look at how we can utilise those to get more conferences in India.”

Attending the 10th Anniversary of International Yoga Day at the iconic Qutub Minar in Delhi, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism, GOI, said, “India has taught ‘Yoga’ to the world. It is a part of our cultural identity. This day has completed a decade today.” He gave the message of including it in daily routine for a healthy lifestyle.