FHRAI suggested Ministry of Tourism to establish a central portal by NCHMCT to address the ongoing human resource shortages and skill gaps faced by the hospitality industry. It also suggested updating curriculums every 3-5 years as per industry trends, and balancing the allocation of seats for both managerial and frontline roles.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi urged the Centre to announce a special package for the eastern state, stating that about ₹10,000 crore of investment was needed to create a world-class tourism infrastructure in Odisha. He made the demand at the pre-budget consultation meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

The Ministry of Tourism expects 30.5 million international visitors to come to India by 2028. According to Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI,  hotel occupancy rates are anticipated to rise to 75 per cent or higher, driven by increased leisure and business travel and a surge in foreign arrivals. The MICE segment is set to contribute significantly, with India hosting multiple high-profile global events.

Omar Abdullah, CM, Jammu and Kashmir urges to explore untapped potential of diverse tourist destinations in Jammu beyond Vaishno Devi. He said, “One crore plus yatris every year visit Jammu for darshan. If I could divert even 15 per cent of those yatris to other tourist destinations, it will do wonders for tourism in the region.”

Malayasia has extended visa exemption for Indians until 31 December 2026. Awang Alik Jeman, Secretary General, Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), Malaysia said, “As part of this plan, 30- day visa exemption is granted to Indians and it is in line with our preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”

India’s outbound travel market is poised for extraordinary growth, with passenger numbers projected to reach 39 million by 2028, reflecting a robust 8 per cent annual compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2023, according to Travelport. In 2023, India’s outbound travel exceeded pre-COVID levels, reaching 27 million passengers with a total travel value of US$40 billion.  

As per Booking.com, there has been an increase of 40-100 per cent in domestic year-end searches from the same time last year. Besides metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, Indian travellers are keen on exploring destinations offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With the boom in spiritual journeys, Varanasi is experiencing a 100 per cent increase in year-end searches.

Addressing 6th ITTA convention, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourisms, said, “The way tourism prospects, tourists and congestion are increasing in our country, and sustainability is going to be a challenge. We should start with mobility, I request you to request to your car drivers and make them flag bearers of sustainability.”

Till now, 35 projects worth ₹4857.11 crore have been sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for Northeast Region (PM-DevINE) Scheme including the development of Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor at Guwahati, Assam. The scheme was initially announced with 100 per cent Central funding in the Union Budget 2022-23 with an initial outlay of ₹1500 crore. However, in 2022, Cabinet approved it with an outlay of ₹6600 crore.

Speaking at the 16th ATOAI Annual Convention, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, revealed that two major trekking routes are being planned by the central government. The third initiative, the Trans-Himalayan Trekking Trail, will be launched as well for adventure enthusiasts. He said, “These initiatives will provide opportunities for the local communities to showcase their culture and hospitality.”