“Domestic cruises are gaining popularity among families, couples, millennials, and Gen Z, offering them an all-inclusive seacation. Young professionals are also combining public holidays with weekends for a domestic cruise holiday,” said Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, VISA, Thomas Cook (India).

According to SNS Insider Research, the global medical tourism industry is expected to be worth US$70.18 billion by 2032, which was initially valued at US$10.78 billion in 2023. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.52 per cent over the 2024–32 period.

During the launch of four-city India roadshow in Delhi, H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, said, “In 2023, Oman has seen 70 per cent growth in Indian visitors, and first five months of 2024 has already seen a 15 per cent increase.”

As  per ICRA report, domestic air passenger traffic saw YoY growth of 8.6 per cent in comparison to 121 lakh in July 2023 and higher by 10 per cent than pre-Covid levels. However, it was estimated at 131 lakh in July 2024, 0.5 per cent lower vis-a-vis 132.1 lakh in June 2024.

Indian travellers are extending their trips after Olympics to explore Paris, which is evident in their booking patterns as per Skyscanner data. The flight bookings for travel during the end of Olympics Games week is 51 per cent higher compared to the previous week.

During an event in Jammu & Kashmir, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister, Tourism, emphasised, “Tourism will be one of the major driving forces in taking the country’s economy to third from fifth globally.” With rise in incomes, Indians are travelling more frequently, he said.

India Travel Awards 2024 will be held tomorrow at the Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The crème de la crème of the travel and hospitality industry will be present to witness the prestigious ceremony.  The event, honouring the achievers from the industry will be held for the first time in Mumbai.

Appreciating the response on investment and subsidies offered in Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, UP Tourism, said, “We have received a tremendous response following the implementation of our new policies. The Global Investors Summit attracted over ₹1 lakh crore in investment in the tourism sector.”

On its 18th anniversary, IndiGo has launched its new business product, ‘IndiGoStretch,’ for 12 domestic routes starting in mid-November. Booking for the Delhi-Mumbai route will open on 6 August, with fares starting at ₹18,018. The airline also announced plans to add flights to 7 more international destinations in the current fiscal year, bringing the total to 40.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GOI, said, “Tourism has the potential to contribute to India’s achievement of being the third-largest economy. India has all the resources to present a world-class tourism sector. We are witnessing diversity and new business opportunities in this sector. The progress and development in this field are crucial.”