The Tourism Office of Spain (Turespaña) in Mumbai organised an engaging evening of conversation, culture, and connection, with its program “Women Travelers to Spain: A Passport to Yourself”. Thoughtfully designed as a celebration of women and the transformational experience of travel, the evening brought together women professionals, creators and enthusiasts to experience Spain through a very personal lens. The event commenced with a welcome address from Elena Orland, Director of the Tourism Office of Spain in India. She set the tone with a powerful remark, “Beyond the best-known destinations, Spain is a wonderful country that truly welcomes women travellers to enjoy unique and authentic experiences that will make your travel to Spain – and to yourself – memorable. “In this way, her remarks framed the spirit of the evening – Spain as a destination, where women feel safe, inspired and free to engage in both discovery and self-discovery. The three panelists spoke about their first impressions of Spain, noting the country’s colour, vibrancy and youthful energy. They emphasized that Spain consistently met—and often exceeded—their expectations, offering everything from coastal beauty to cultural depth. The panellists shared personal stories about their own experiences related to Spain’s food, festivals, sustainable ways of exploring the destination, and the ease and comfort traveling women often experience. A key point of discussion was Spain’s safety and comfort for solo women travellers. The panelists shared that Spanish society is warm, non-judgmental and extremely hospitable. Even without knowing Spanish, travellers can navigate easily, thanks to helpful locals and an organised urban layout. They also highlighted cultural similarities between India and Spain—particularly around family values, food, festivity and community dining—making Indian travellers feel instantly at home. The panel …

ClickMyCruise, the representative of Explora Journeys in India, hosted an intimate evening with select travel partners in Mumbai. The event brought together around 25 leading figures from India’s travel trade & media to discover the world of Explora Journeys, a new-generation luxury cruise brand by the MSC Group. The evening featured an insightful presentation by Mr. Norbert Stiekema, Executive Director, MSC Cruises, who flew in from Geneva for the occasion. Mr. Stiekema shared the brand’s vision, highlighting Explora Journeys’philosophy of “The Ocean State of Mind”, a concept that celebrates slow, immersive travel and meaningful connections with the sea. He also shared insights on how the Indian market is evolving towards bespoke luxury experiences and why Explora Journeys’ contemporary, all-suite ocean journeys resonate strongly with discerning Indian travellers. Nalini Gupta, Managing Director, ClickMyCruise, shared:  “Having witnessed the evolution of the cruise industry over the decades, I truly believe India stands on the brink of a new wave of luxury travel. With Explora Journeys, we’re introducing a product that reflects the modern traveller’s desire for authenticity, space, and personal connection, an ocean experience redefined for today’s world.” The evening concluded with inspiring conversations and a shared vision, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for luxury ocean travel for Indians.

TripJack recently concluded its houseful Chennai Roadshow on a high note, reaffirming its leadership in the travel-tech ecosystem. The event witnessed an overwhelming turnout of travel partners, industry experts, and decision-makers, creating an evening driven by strategy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration. Designed to strengthen regional engagement, the roadshow highlighted TripJack’s enhanced product capabilities. A key focus was the launch of our new hotel booking experience, developed to deliver greater speed and efficiency. The showcase also featured our key offerings across flights, TripSafe, holidays, and cruises. These offerings are supported by technology-driven solutions that help agents deliver faster, seamless, and more profitable experiences.Adding to the energy of the houseful evening, the event also featured engaging lucky draws and exclusive partner awards, where top-performing agents were recognised and rewarded for their outstanding contributions. While addressing the audience, Hussain and Hasan, Directors at TripJack, emphasized that strong regional partnerships are central to driving India’s next phase of B2B travel growth. Their address highlighted evolving travel trends, operational efficiencies, and the growing demand for faster, technology-driven booking solutions that empower travel agents to stay competitive. Attendees expressed strong appreciation for TripJack’s reliable platform, competitive inventory, and its continuous effort to elevate support for travel businesses. The enthusiasm and engagement throughout the night reinforced TripJack’s belief that innovation, transparency, and a partner-first approach are essential to shaping the future of the industry.

Accepting the award for the Best Destination Wedding Venue’ at India Travel Awards 2025, Manoj Dev, Cluster General Manager – North and Rashmi Bamba, Sales Manager, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are truly thrilled and honoured to receive this award, which we believe marks the beginning of even greater achievements ahead. Over the past two years, we have made remarkable progress in beach weddings and are determined to raise the bar further.” The award went to Summit By The Ganges Beach Resort & Spa, Rishikesh.

India has moved firmly into the priority lane for the UK. “India is one of the most important priority markets for Britain,” says Ritu Varma, Country Head – India, VisitBritain, adding that the focus today is on value, not just volume. “Indian spending capacity is far higher, and we are seeing a strong rise in high-value segments.” One of the biggest shifts is how Indians travel across the UK. The classic short break is fading. “Earlier people did three nights in London. Now a 12-night itinerary covering wider Britain is becoming the average,” she explains. This longer stay pattern is widening demand for regions, experiences and boutique stays.

Speaking at a recent PATA webinar, Simon Moriarty, VP – Syndicated Research, MMGY Global, outlined how shifting priorities are influencing travel to and within India. “Safety and political stability are the two major drivers shaping travel choices today,” he noted. “Travellers want to explore beauty, food, culture, but they want to do so in places where they feel safe and comfortable.” MMGY Global’s data shows that 34% of global travellers are interested in visiting India over the next two years, and this rises significantly among Indian travellers themselves. “More than half of Indian consumers — 53% — are more interested in travelling within India this year than they were a year ago,” Moriarty said. “That speaks to increased confidence in domestic tourism and a growing awareness of experiences available on their doorstep.”

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, said that India’s aviation sector is rapidly growing to become the third-largest market globally. “Domestic numbers grew from 1.8 lakh per day in 2014 to an average of 4.6 lakh today — nearly three times higher. The goal is to sustain this momentum and achieve a growth rate of 10% to 12%,” he said, adding that the government is working not only to maintain growth but also to enhance passenger services and transform the sector with future technologies.

SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services, the sole ground services provider at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), is rolling out its self-check-in service for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season, which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone. The initiative, made possible by the airline’s IT team, follows the installation of 20 new self-check-in kiosks at the departure terminal last month, bringing the total to 28 and boosting airport efficiency and the overall passenger experience in line with Sri Lanka’s tourism development efforts. Since its launch in 2023, the self-check-in kiosk facility has seen a strong uptake, with an increasing number of travellers opting for self-service over traditional counters. Currently, 15% of SriLankan’s passengers flying out of BIA use the kiosks, helping ease congestion at the departure terminal. The facility enables passengers to bypass queues and complete their check-in independently by selecting seats, printing boarding passes and generating bag tags in just a few simple steps. Deepal Pallegangoda, Head of Airport and Ground Services of SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are thrilled to offer the self-check-in option to our customer airlines, whose passengers account for around 60% of all passengers we handle. Our aim is to create a seamless travel experience for all passengers checking out of Colombo, which averages over 300,000 each month. Our enhanced self-check-in facilities will further support the airport’s capacity enhancement efforts, while reaffirming SriLankan Airlines’ prominent position in advancing digital airport solutions in the region. Singapore Airlines is set to be the first foreign carrier to adopt the self-check-in kiosk facility for their passengers flying from Colombo, and we hope to see more airlines come onboard …

DreamSetGo, a Dream Sports company and premium bespoke sports travel and experiences platform, and Salford City FC have announced that David Beckham and Gary Neville, part of Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, will visit India this month.  This is Salford City FC’s first-ever expansion into the Asian market – with fan engagement in India a core part of the Club’s growth strategy –  and builds on the strategic investment made earlier this year by Dream Sports. Gary Neville and David Beckham, co-owners, Salford City FC said: “Global partners play a vital role in helping us grow Salford City Football Club and connect with new audiences. This collaboration brings together two ambitious organisations united by a vision to elevate global sporting experiences. We’re excited for this opportunity with DreamSetGo to continue building Salford City’s international presence in the years ahead.” Monish Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, DreamSetGo, added, “We’re proud to partner with Salford City FC and for Gary and David to join us in India. The Class of ’92 are more than legendary athletes, they’re global icons whose impact transcends the sport itself. Bringing them to India is a dream come true for football fans in the country. At DreamSetGo, we’re dedicated to creating extraordinary sports experiences, and this partnership will allow us to deliver something truly unforgettable.” This visit marks David and Gary’s first time together in India for DSG and Salford City Football Club, where they will meet with DSG corporate partners to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter for the two organisations.  

In a strategic move set to strengthen its presence across key outbound markets, OA GLOBE has officially acquired Tripper, the travel company founded and led by industry veteran Tejinder Sachdev. With over 25 years of leadership in the travel and hospitality sector, Sachdev built Tripper into a respected name within the B2B, MICE, and corporate travel segments. Known for its strong contracting capabilities, curated travel products, and operational presence in the CIS region and beyond, Tripper quickly earned a reputation for reliability, regional expertise, and service excellence. This acquisition allows OA GLOBE to expand its footprint and strengthen its destination management capabilities across CIS COUNTRIES. where Tripper already has a robust operational presence. “It has been an incredible journey building Tripper, and I am proud of what we have achieved,” said Sachdev, Founder of Tripper. “OA GLOBE DMC shares our commitment to excellence and innovation, and I am confident that the brand will continue to flourish under their leadership.” The acquisition aligns with OA GLOBE’s vision of becoming a truly global DMC with a deeply localized approach. By integrating Tripper’s resources and expertise, the group aims to enhance service delivery, strengthen partnerships, and provide even more customized travel solutions to its growing network of partners worldwide. The transition is expected to be seamless for all existing clients, partners, and vendors. Rahim Aslam, Founder of OA GLOBE DMC, shared his thoughts on the acquisition: “We are thrilled to welcome Tripper into the OA family. Mr. Tejinder Sachdev has built a respected and agile company with a deep understanding of the CIS markets—regions that are strategically important to our global growth vision. This acquisition strengthens our on-ground presence, adds strong operational capabilities, and …