Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “People are more mature; we have seen a 20-30 per cent increase in experience and luxury travel, which is a significant number. We anticipate these numbers will continue to grow, making experience and luxury travel the most rapidly growing segment in the travel industry.”

Amitabh Khosla, Country Director-India, IATA said that India’s air traffic had already surpassed 2019 levels, both for domestic and international flights, in 2023 itself.  “So certainly, we are witnessing rapid growth, as demonstrated in the unveiling video of the 2025 AGM. There is a significance amount of activity and technology driving aviation growth in India, ” he added.

According to a report by McKinsey, India’s breakneck GDP growth of 6 per cent year over year is bolstering a new generation of travellers, resulting in a projected annual growth in travel spending of 9 per cent between now and 2030. Indian air carriers and lodging companies are making substantial investments to meet projected demand.

The Imperial New Delhi joins The Leading Hotels of the World, becoming the only Grand Dame in India to enter this exclusive network of independent, luxury hotels. The hotel will also be part of the Leading Hotels’ exclusive loyalty program, Leaders Club which amplifies relationships curated by Leading Hotels between like-minded curious travelers and independent hoteliers. The Imperial stands as an icon of luxury, nestled in the heart of India’s bustling capital. Spanning an eight-acre estate on Janpath, formerly Queensway, it holds court as the sole oasis amidst a sea of 32 million people. Since its inception in 1936, The Imperial has been a beacon of glamour, drawing Hollywood celebrities, Bollywood luminaries, and global royalty to its distinguished embrace. Its historic grounds witnessed the grandeur of 85 Maharajas and Maharanis convened in regal splendour during the Royal Durbar. Today, The Imperial continues to enchant with a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Each of its 235 elegantly appointed rooms and lavish suites exudes illustrious elegance, seamlessly blending heritage with cutting-edge technology. Hundreds of hand-knotted carpets weave tales of artisanal mastery, while the world’s largest private collection of 5,500 Indo-European artworks from 17th & 18th century, offer a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich cultural tapestry of a bygone era. One can embark on the finest epicurean journey through an array of world class restaurants. From the intricate flavors of Italian cuisine to the bold spices of Asia, each dish at The Imperial reflects a dedication to culinary mastery and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Whether indulging in a light Indian lunch or dinner at the hotel’s Indo-European Brasserie 1911 or exploring the culinary delights of San Gimignano and Spice …

Skal International Hyderabad got twinned with Skal International Perth from Western Australia during 53rd Skal Asian Area Congress in Bahrain. Skal International agreed and  approved and given us the ‘Twinning Number 248.’ Twinning is signed by Dr Valmiki Hari Kishan, Director, Special Projects, Skal International Hyderabad; and Michael Collins, President, Skal International Perth  in the presence of Annette Cardenas, President, Skal International; NSN Mohan, Director, Skal International and Ash James Munn, National President, Skal Australia Valmiki Hari Kishan says that such twinnings will help clubs to put more collective efforts in bridging the gaps and foster better collaborations to do more business among friends as the tagline of Skal is ‘Doing business among friends.’ He also says many Indian travellers visit Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast whereas there is huge untapped opportunities available to promote Western Australia at the same time. Valmiki visited recently Perth and met Tom Upson, Director of Western Australia which inspired him more to do some collective efforts through the Skal platform. Valmiki also says twinning encourages to arrange reciprocal exchange visits on an individual basis between members of twinned clubs and families. It provides opportunities to learn more about culture and success of others and most of all to do business through better understanding cooperation and friendship. It expands the opportunity for joint projects and exchanges which twinning provides, which will lead fellowship and friendship. Skal International is growing stronger and more countries opening doors to have the Skal chapters. “Building Bridges’ is the present Skal World President’s theme which inspires us to do more,” says Valmiki.  

India’s fastest-growing hospitality chain, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, recently held its 7th annual GM Conclave in Cygnett Style Jaipur under the theme ‘Aggrandize Hospitality Cygnett Horizons 2024.’ The event provided a platform for discussing the company’s strategic expansion plans and key insights into transformational changes in the hospitality industry. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, shared that Cygnett is on track to open 15 new hotels and 1200 keys over the next year, with ten currently under project & pre-opening stage. This expansion aligns with the company’s vision of innovation and cultural transformation. The new properties opening in June, July and August, such as Cozzet Deera in Sonipat (41 keys), Cozzet Mahad (Mahad Maharashtra industrial area) (60 keys), and Cygnett Inn Airport in Jaipur (45 keys), represent the company’s commitment to meeting growing demands and maintaining high hospitality standards. Cygnett also plans to hire over 1,000 hospitality professionals and establish the Cygnett Learning Academy to address the current talent shortage and train new aspirants. Cygnett Hotel and Resort was ranked second in new hotel signings in 2023, according to a report released by HVS. At the event, Sarkar emphasised the importance of cultural transformation and innovation as the driving forces behind the company’s expansion. He noted that the rapid growth of domestic tourism and rising ADRs provide a promising outlook for the hospitality sector. He reiterated the company’s optimism about India’s hospitality prospects as it leverages increased government focus on infrastructure to bolster its growth. The conclave also highlighted Cygnett’s strong focus on sustainability. Their Sustainable Plan 2025 includes eco-friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient technologies, water conservation, waste management, and upgraded transportation facilities. These efforts aim …

Underlining the role of Indian outbound in Sri Lanka’s economy, Sri Lankan MP, V Radhakrishnan, said, “The country depends on tourism. 60% of the people come from India,” on the occasion of Kumbhabhishekam puja at the Seetha Amman Temple. In fact, even in 2023, Indians top the list of key contributors to Sri Lanka’s tourism with 3,02,844 arrivals.

Describing the Indian tourist to Fiji, Robert Thompson, Executive Director of Regions, Tourism Fiji, says, “Indian arrivals to Fiji in 2023 reached pre-COVID numbers of 2019. December saw the highest number of Indian arrivals in Fiji, increasing by approx. 300% vis-a-vis 2022. The average length of stay of an Indian tourist to Fiji is approx. 7.6 nights.”

As per Mastercard’s annual report, in 2024, more Indians are traveling globally. In the first three months of 2024, 97 million passengers travelled, with 21% surge in domestic air traffic, and 4% in international travel. Indians are increasingly exploring key markets, with a 53% increase in visits to Japan, 248% to Vietnam, and 59% to the US, compared to 2019.

Tourism Malaysia, along with Sarawak Tourism Board, invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on discovering Sarawak – the Gateway to Borneo and the Land of the Hornbills – today at 3pm. Participate in the quiz and win exciting prizes! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. 1) GRAND PRIZE LUCKY DRAW BY MULU MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY STAY FOR 3D2N DELUXE ROOM WITH BREAKFAST FOR 2 PAX 2) DAMAI BEACH RESORT (KUCHING) ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY STAY FOR 3D2N SUPERIOR POOL ROOM WITH BREAKFAST FOR 2 PAX 3) DAMAI LAGOON RESORT (KUCHING) ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY STAY FOR 3D2N DELUXE ROOM WITH BREAKFAST FOR 2 PAX 4) SARAWAK RIVER CRUISE COMPLIMENTARY SARAWAK SUNSET RIVER CRUISE TICKET FOR 2 PAX 5) SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE (KUCHING) COMPLIMENTARY ENTRANCE FEE FOR 2 PAX 6) THE WATERFRONT HOTEL (KUCHING) ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY STAY FOR 3D2N PREMIER KING RIVER VIEW FOR 2 PAX WITH BREAKFAST 7) RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL (RWMF) COMPLIMENTARY DAY PASS TICKETS – 10 NOS.to be held from 28-30 June 2024  Prizes are valid from 21st May 2024 till 20th August 2024