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 …

Accepting the award for ‘Upcoming Luxury and Experiential Travel Company’ at the India Travel Awards 2025 held in New Delhi, Tanushka Kaur Chadha, Co-founder, Jastans Bespoke Luxury Vacations, said, “Winning this award as a young entrepreneur is a true honour. It reflects our commitment to creating exceptional, immersive travel experiences. We look forward to crafting unforgettable bespoke luxury vacations with greater passion and purpose.” She was accompanied by her Co-Founder, Jaskaran Chadha.

Sabina Piacenti, International Market Manager, McArthurGlen Group, said, “2025 has been a landmark year for McArthurGlen in India. Despite global challenges — including geopolitical tensions and visa issuance delays — Indian travellers demonstrated remarkable resilience. Tax-Free Sales (TFS) from India grew by 7% year-on-year, aligning with our budget expectations. We also observed a 66% increase in group travel, both leisure and MICE, underscoring the strength of our trade partnerships and marketing efforts.” Piacenti added, “Our travel trade familiarisation trips have been instrumental in raising awareness of our outlets and surrounding regions. Many partners are now keen to include a shopping stop in their itineraries, having experienced the excitement and rewards of luxury shopping firsthand. A notable trend is the shift from transactional shopping to experience-led luxury travel. Indian guests are spending more time in our villages, engaging with dining, architecture, and seasonal events. Curated experiences — such as hands-free shopping, VIP lounges, and private transfers — are increasingly in demand.”

Speaking about AI as a business tool, Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra, said, “I’ve never seen AI as just another add-on. For us at Yatra, it’s become the nervous system that holds everything together. It honestly keeps the day-to-day moving for us, be it with the cancellations that don’t drag, expenses that get processed without the back-and-forth, support that feels a little less like a queue and a little more like a conversation. Getting these fundamentals right matters, because that is what lets everything else work smoothly.”