Uttar Pradesh government has approved 13 projects worth ₹118 crore for tourism development in Agra, including the construction of a memorial for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Additionally, Varanasi will also see development with 14 projects worth ₹74.31 crore. Projects include enhancements to Kailash Temple, Dariyanath Temple, Balkeshwar Temple and various other temples.
Read More »Join webinar on Oman’s newest offerings on 23 April at 3pm and win exciting prizes
Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, invites travel partners to an exclusive webinar on 23 April 2025 at 3pm. Learn how to sell this captivating destination more effectively and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Gain insights from Oman Air, Kempinski Hotels Muscat and Magic Travels. Enhance your destination knowledge, gather insider tips and elevate your client offerings. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 96501 96532.
Read More »India to launch 50 airport projects in next 5 years to boost aviation ecosystem: MoCA
The Government plans to take up 50 airport development projects, including new airports, in the next 5 years to boost the country’s aviation ecosystem. Currently, there are 159 operational airports in the country and the number has doubled compared from 74 in 2014. “Civil aviation industry plays pivotal role in unlocking India’s economic potential,” said Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), GoI.
Read More »If we connect airports with tourism circuits, we can drive demand, says Suman Bill
“India’s regional airports can unlock new destinations and democratise travel. If we connect them with well-crafted, thematic tourism circuits, we can drive demand beyond the usual hotspots,” said Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He urged closer alignment between the UDAN scheme and tourism promotion strategies. “Every small airport should become a launchpad for a unique Indian experience,” he added.
Read More »‘India’s sustainable tourism criteria outdated in India,’ stresses C.B. Ramkumar, Vice Chairman, GSTC
C.B. Ramkumar, Vice Chairman, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), stressed on the need for an updated national framework for sustainable tourism in India. He said, “Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI), launched over a decade ago, is now outdated and no longer reflects the current global standards. The STCI document exists, but it is redundant. It is not applicable in the world we live in today.”
Read More »Need to create success stories on sustainability in tourism sector and replicate them: GS Shekhawat
Asserting that the idea of sustainability is embedded in Indian ethos, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism, said, “There is a need to create success stories on sustainability in the tourism sector and replicate them across the country.” He also said all stakeholders of the sector must work with a collective vision to achieve sustainability in the truest sense.
Read More »Tier II & III cities in India get hospitality boost; branded hotels sign 42,071 rooms in CY2024: JLL
In 2024, India’s hospitality sector shifted focus to tier II and III cities like Amritsar and Bikaner, accounting for nearly half of hotel transactions, as per JLL report. CY 2024 witnessed 42,071 keys in terms of branded hotel signings and 11,352 keys in terms of branded hotel openings. As many as 77 per cent of these signings were concentrated in tier II and III cities.
Read More »World Bank praises India’s medical tourism growth in its Tourism Watch Quarterly Report
January 2025 Tourism Watch Quarterly Report by the World Bank Group noted that India’s initiatives such as e-Medical Visa and marketing campaigns like ‘Heal in India’ have bolstered India’s medical tourism. In 2023, the country attracted 476,000 foreign patients, which is among the highest in the world.
Read More »6th OTOAI convention to take place in Moscow from 10-13 July; focus on MICE & group travel
Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, “6th convention of OTOAI will take place in the magnificent city of Moscow from 10-13 July 2025.” He added, “Post-pandemic, Russia has made a very positive move by simplifying the visa process for Indians. This clearly reflects their intention to welcome us and strengthen tourism ties between our countries. We are confident this convention will help boost mutual tourism opening new avenues for cooperation.”
Read More »‘From predictive analytics to smart visitor management, tech innovation will define next era of travel’
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, GoI, said, “From predictive analytics to smart visitor management, digital innovation will define the next era of travel.” He emphasised on government’s push for tech-driven solutions, citing opportunities for collaboration between startups, airlines and tourism bodies.
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