Suman Billa, Addl. Secretary, MOT, said, “There is a need for targeted strategies including decongesting popular tourist sites and developing new ones.” Currently, tourism sector contributes five per cent to India’s GDP, whereas Thailand and Turkey adds 23 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively. 

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, announced the signing of a resort in Barnala in Punjab, under the Gateway brand. Speaking on the occasion Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “This signing is in line with our strategy of growing IHCL’s presence in tier 2 and 3 cities in India. Barnala, a commercial and industrial centre bordering Ludhiana is an emerging market in Punjab.  Gateway, the latest addition to IHCL’s brand portfolio will showcase this vibrant city. We are delighted to partner with Lakhvir Singh for this project.” Spread across 9 acres, Gateway Barnala will be a haven of tranquillity. The resort will feature a unique low-rise design with 100 spacious villas and rooms. It will offer an all-day-diner, specialty restaurant, bar, gymnasium and health centre. The 7,000 sq. ft banquet hall coupled with meeting rooms will be ideal for corporate and social gatherings. Lakhvir Singh, BRH Eaton said, “We are excited to collaborate with IHCL to bring the Gateway brand to Barnala. We are confident this hotel will be a preferred destination for travellers.” With this addition, IHCL will have three hotels in Punjab with two under development.

Launches Portico branded hotels in Nepal, Jim Corbett and Haridwar Sarovar Hotels announced the grand opening of three new properties, marking a significant expansion in its international and domestic portfolio. This latest development underscores Sarovar Hotels commitment to offering exceptional experiences tailored to diverse segments. The new properties—Sarovar Portico in Birgunj, Nepal, ABN Sarovar Portico in Jim Corbett and MJ Sarovar Portico in Haridwar—reflect the brand’s commitment to enhancing its international and regional presence. Sarovar Portico, Birgunj, located in the southeastern part of Nepal, marks Sarovar Hotels debut in the country. This property introduces a blend of traditional Nepalese hospitality with 60 elegantly designed rooms and suites, offering modern luxury in the vibrant city of Birgunj. As a bleisure hotel, it aims to redefine standards for both business and leisure travellers in the region, providing a sophisticated and culturally rich experience. ABN Sarovar Portico, Jim Corbett, offers a serene retreat nestled within the lush landscapes of India’s oldest national park. This property, located 4 Kms from the Dhangadi Gate (Dhikala Zone), features 65 elegantly designed rooms and cottages, blending relaxation with natural beauty. MJ Sarovar Portico, Haridwar, situated 5 Kms from Har Ki Pauri, enhances Sarovar Hotels pilgrimage portfolio. Strategically located to serve travellers visiting Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun, this hotel boasts 75 elegant rooms and suites, designed with extensive facilities to meet the needs of spiritual seekers and professional visitors alike. Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels and Director, Louvre Hotels India, commented, “The opening of these three new properties represents a significant milestone for Sarovar Hotels, expanding our footprint both globally and domestically. Each property is thoughtfully designed to cater to different traveller needs—whether for business (Birgunj), leisure …

Representation World announced the successful completion of its very first assignment as hospitality consultants, where they had the privilege of guiding Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel Greater Noida in achieving their prestigious 5-star classification from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. This remarkable achievement was accomplished in record time, and Representation World are extremely proud of the hotel’s dynamic team. Barun Gupta, General Manager, Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel, took on the challenge of transforming the hotel to meet the Ministry of Tourism’s rigorous 5-star guidelines within a year of stepping into his role. Due to his leadership and the dedication of his entire team, that goal has been achieved with flying colors. “We are extremely satisfied with the guidance provided by Vineet Gopal and Manoj Babbar, which helped us implement the right measures to elevate our hotel’s facilities and services to meet 5-star standards,” said Barun Gupta. At Representation World, members are delighted with this outcome. Manoj Babbar and Vineet Gopal are proud to have played a role in this journey, and they extend their heartfelt congratulations to the entire Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel’s team for their hard work and dedication. This milestone marks the beginning of many exciting ventures for Representation World in the hospitality sector, and they look forward to continuing to deliver top-tier consulting services to future partners.

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO), India, in collaboration with Visit Berlin, hosted an exclusive press event at AER, one of Mumbai’s most stylish and vibrant locations. The evening showcased Germany as a premier travel destination, highlighting Berlin’s cultural and vibrant attractions for Indian travellers. Guests indulged in traditional German cuisine, sampling local flavours. Attended by leading media personalities, influential influencers, social media engagers, and content creators from Mumbai and beyond, the event witnessed remarkable participation. Key representatives from Visit Berlin, Burkhard Kieker, CEO and Ralf Ostendorf, Director, Market & Media Relations presented encouraging statistics, revealing a significant growth in Indian visitors with 59.800 overnights until July 2024 with a growth of +25% compared to the year 2023. The evening highlighted Berlin’s upcoming festivals, Festival of Lights 2024 from October 4th to 13th. The 20th anniversary is illuminating the theme ‘Celebrating Freedom’. 35 years later, Berlin will commemorate the fall of the Wall, official ceremonies are planned for 9 November 2024. “Germany has a wealth of experiences awaiting Indian travellers,” stated Romit Theophilus, Director, German National Tourist Office, India. “From vibrant cities to stunning landscapes, Germany as a travel destination offers an unparalleled blend of culture, history, and entertainment.” In 2023, Indian travellers undertook 15.25 million outbound trips, with 2.8 million heading to Europe, including 311,000 to Germany which ranked as the 3rd most popular European destination. Tour holidays and city breaks are the top choices for Indian travellers but Germany’s scenic landscapes also make it a dream destination for Indian honeymoon trips, capturing the magic of Bollywood-inspired love stories. The numbers show 440.577 overnight stays from January to June 2024, a significant improvement from the 6.9% decline in June …

The Iran Tourism Board announced the successful conclusion of its dynamic three-city roadshow in India, aimed at promoting the rich cultural heritage and diverse travel experiences of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The roadshow began in Mumbai on 10th September, continued in Hyderabad on 12th September, and concluded on 13th September in New Delhi. The roadshow featured distinguished dignitaries from Iran, including Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, Deputy of Tourism, Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry; Moslem Shojaee, Director General, International Tourism Promotion; H.E. Mofidifar, Acting Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran; and H.E. Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Mumbai. Strengthening Tourism Ties Between India and Iran The primary aim of this roadshow was to foster stronger tourism ties between India and Iran. By engaging directly with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, the Iran Tourism Board sought to build robust business relationships and promote Iran as a premier travel destination. The initiative featured 11 Iranian hoteliers and travel agents who explored business opportunities and presented a variety of tourism packages to their Indian counterparts. Collaborations with key organisations such as MTOA, TAAI, TAFI, and IATO were also part of the strategy to enhance Iran’s visibility among their members. Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi remarked, “We are thrilled to present the beauty and historical richness of Iran to the Indian market. This roadshow has provided a unique platform to share Iran’s cultural tapestry, including our historic landmarks and renowned hospitality. We look forward to deepening our partnerships with Indian travel agents and encouraging more Indian travellers to explore the wonders of Iran.” H.E. Mofidifar, Acting Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran to Mumbai, delivered an inspiring keynote address. He passionately spoke about …

~Set across Chandigarh, Nagpur & Kochi, the initiative will educate over 600 travel partners on new destination offerings~ Aiming to attract 100,000 inbound travellers from India by end of the year, South African Tourism has returned with its 2024 edition of ‘Learn South Africa’ initiative. Entering the tier-2 and tier-3 outbound tourism markets of India, the flagship travel trade training workshop will enlighten the tourism board’s travel partners with renewed strategy and equip them with tools to market the Rainbow Nation effectively. In the recent years, there has been a strong uptick in the number of arrivals from India to South Africa. Capitalising on this momentum and in efforts to target emerging markets from the country, South African Tourism’s 3-city destination workshop is set to commence in Chandigarh on 27th September followed by Nagpur on 8th November and Kochi on 13th December. The workshop not only enables the tourism board to share its learnings with the travel trade fraternity but also support its partners in overcoming any obstacles they experience while promoting the destination. Cognizant of India’s outbound tourism potential and its role in achieving South Africa’s long term tourism goals, India is amongst the top 3 focus markets for South African Tourism. With a strong foothold across key metro cities and observing a trend of rising discretionary spendings from tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, it is vital for the tourism board to continually target newer markets to uphold the increased inclination towards international travel. Programs such as ‘Learn SA’ are instrumental in projecting the Rainbow Nation as a premier leisure and MICE destination. Commenting on ‘Learn South Africa’ 2024 edition, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager, Asia, Australasia, Middle …

ATOAI’s AGM 2023-24 saw historic unanimous election of a woman candidate Arshdeep Anand as Vice President on its national leadership team for the term 2024-26. Meanwhile, Ajeet Bajaj was re-elected as President. Other elected office bearers include Vaibhav Kala as Senior VP; Ronny Gulati as Hon. Secretary; and Nirat Bhatt as Hon. Treasurer.

While receiving the Fastest Growing Travel Company award on the behalf of Fly24hrs, Vaseem Parvez, Vice President, Fly24hrs Holiday, said, “Kudos to the DDP Group for organising this award ceremony, providing a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of individuals.”

At IFTM-Top Resa 2024 in Paris, India’s tourism sector made a strong impression, with participation from private players and key states like Rajasthan, UP, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The event featured 170 destinations and 1,400 global brands. India’s presence at this event themed ‘New Sustainable Horizons,’ highlights the country’s commitment to sustainability.