From 1 May 2025, non-Thai travellers entering Thailand by air, land, or sea will be required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. Designed to enhance efficiency, security and convenience, the TDAC aims to eliminate the hassle of paper forms improving the overall travel experience for millions of visitors.

The Delhi High Court recently ruled that payment of service charges at restaurants and hotels cannot be imposed as a mandatory charge on customers’ food bills. It dismissed the petitions filed by restaurant associations challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines, prohibiting restaurants and hotels from automatically adding a service charge to customers’ bills.

As per JLL India report, as many as 38 branded hotels comprising 3,293 rooms were opened during Q4 (October-December) 2024. Additionally, December 2024 also saw signings of 99 branded hotels comprising 11,943 rooms with the top six markets experiencing year-over-year increases in both Average Daily Rate (ADR).

In a strategic partnership, IHCL joined hands with The Claridges Hotel New Delhi to unveil ‘Claridges Collection,’ which will also include the historic Connemera, Chennai and Blue Diamond, Pune. Claridges Collection is set to build its portfolio across the metro cities with a vision to reach over 20 hotels by 2030. “Currently, IHCL has 375 hotels in its portfolio, with 242 operational and 153 in the pipeline. It is also close to completing 25 new hotels this year.” said Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, IHCL.

Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa stated that the government was working on a new initiative aimed at attracting high-spending international tourists through incentives to specific countries and airlines. Khaunte revealed that from 1 April, all hotels and guest houses in Goa would be required to upload guest data on the Tourism Information Management Enterprises the (TIME) software.

Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has passed a resolution granting industrial status to hotels, aligning with Rajasthan’s tourism policy. This move is expected to boost investment, reduce operational costs, and accelerate growth in the hospitality sector as the state is currently focusing on expanding tourism in UP.

Omar Abdullah, CM, Jammu & Kashmir recently apprised the legislative assembly that over 4.40 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years. To further promote tourism, the UT has allocated ₹390 crore for tourism development. in financial budget 2025-26

Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister, GoI requested the Union Minister of Tourism to set up a dedicated tourism circuit encompassing Debrigarh, Bhimamandali and Hirakud in Odisha. He said these efforts would boost the state’s tourism landscape and promote the country’s standing as a hub for heritage tourism.

IATO will host its 40th Annual Convention from 22-25 August 2025 at Swosti Premium Beach Resort, Puri, Odisha. The three-day event is expected to welcome 900-1000 delegates, including industry leaders and government officials. The theme and other logistics are being finalised and will be announced soon, said Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO.

Rail Europe invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on the benefits of Eurail passes, how to use them and how to book passholder fares on agent.raileurope.com on 11th March at 3pm. Participate in the Quiz for a chance to win Amazon vouchers! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.