This year reaffirmed the strength of India’s outbound travel market, says Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations. He adds, “While travellers were naturally a little more mindful given the global environment — from geopolitical tensions to pockets of economic uncertainty — the desire to explore remained strong and resilient. What we observed was a shift towards purposeful, experience-led travel. Indians planned more intentionally, choosing destinations that offered safety, seamless connectivity, and a variety of curated experiences. Families opted for wildlife and nature-led journeys, young professionals gravitated towards immersive and adventure-driven itineraries, and premium travellers continued to invest in personalized luxury and exclusive access.” Despite a more considered approach, outbound spending from India remained healthy. “Travellers prioritized value, authenticity, and itineraries that felt enriching rather than rushed — a trend that is likely to continue into 2026. Across all partner clients, the common success factor was authentic narratives, strong B2B engagement, on-ground training, and consistent visibility, which together strengthened conversion and confidence within the Indian travel trade,” Kapadia shares.  Sopa Lodges, Kenya & Tanzania: Sopa Lodges continued to build exceptional traction among families, wildlife enthusiasts, FITs, and increasingly, the MICE segment. The lodges’ personalized services and unique experiences — including astronomy tourism, cultural immersion with Maasai communities, and expansive landscapes — strongly resonated with Indian travellers. The diversity across properties allowed agents to cater to varied preferences while maintaining brand consistency. Fiji: Fiji continued to see steady, sustained growth in the Indian market this year. Its blend of warm hospitality, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation kept it firmly positioned as a preferred long-haul island destination. Ongoing trade engagement — through webinars, trainings, and strengthened partnerships — further …

Looking back at 2025, one thing stands out for Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, is that Indian travellers have become far more mindful about how they travel. “They’re not in a hurry anymore. Instead of ticking off five cities in one trip, they want to slow down, soak in a place, and really feel connected to it. This shift has been wonderful for our partners—Tour Managers Fiji, Pacific Pearl Holidays in Australia & New Zealand, Rickshaw Travels for East Africa, Authentic Asia Vietnam, and of course our beautiful resort partners like Beachcomber Mauritius, NOOE Maldives, Barceló Maldives & Phuket, Makunudu Maldives, and Seacliff Tanzania. Travellers are choosing experiences with heart, not just itineraries. Another big change I’ve noticed is the rise in responsible and wellness-led travel. People are asking deeper questions, planning well in advance, and are happy to spend a little more if it means the experience is meaningful, personalised, and rooted in the local culture,” she says. Inbound travel has also grown stronger this year—especially for wildlife, heritage, and wellness journeys. “It’s a lovely reminder that India continues to inspire the world with its richness and diversity. When I think of our wins this year, two stand out. Barceló Nasuandhura Maldives has been a truly special journey. The Maldives is usually seen as a honeymoon or pure leisure market, but we took a bold step in repositioning it for MICE. And to see corporates actually choose an island for meetings and incentives—it felt like we broke a long-standing mindset. That shift didn’t happen overnight; it came from genuine belief in the product and a lot of storytelling with the right partners,” Singh shares. Barceló Coconut Island in Phuket was another proud …

Speaking about how 2025 for Sarova Hotels & Resorts, Mita Vohra, Board Director, Sarova Hotels & Resorts, says that it was an unusual yet defining year for the chain, as it operated without a Revenue Manager for the entire year. “Despite this, our teams came together with remarkable unity and resilience, delivering one of the best years in our history. We are especially grateful for the growing support from the Indian market, with four major MICE groups contributing significantly to our success. Strong occupancies, healthy ADR growth, and a clear shift towards experiential, nature-led stays played a pivotal role in shaping our performance this year,” Vohra says. Sarova has always been ahead of the curve in technology, she adds, led by its award-winning CIO, who has been recognised for excellence two years in a row. “We are transforming how we operate—strengthening our digital backbone, enhancing guest-facing systems, and building a more dynamic and meaningful loyalty programme. Sustainability continues to be at the heart of everything we do. Our initiatives are widely respected, and one of our most cherished ambassadors is our Chief Gardener, who champions sustainable farming practices and shares this knowledge with surrounding communities. Our deep commitment to the environment, our people, and our guests remains one of the strongest foundations of our success,” Vohra says. Vision for 2026 Sarova Shaba Lodge—one of the most soulful properties in their portfolio—will be a major focus for them. Set against dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, natural spring waters, stargazing vistas, and the breathtaking Shaba Gorge, this property embodies the spirit of authentic Kenya. “We are currently undertaking extensive renovations to reimagine and elevate every aspect of the lodge. From refreshed accommodations to …

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced an increase in its Hyderabad–Amsterdam operations for the ongoing winter season. From January to March 2026, KLM will operate four weekly flights from Hyderabad to Amsterdam, up from the current three weekly services. This seasonal enhancement reflects positive travel demand from the region and highlights Hyderabad’s growing importance within the Air France-KLM India network. Hyderabad became KLM’s fourth gateway in India in September 2025, complementing its services from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Accepting the ‘Best DMC & MICE Operator for UK, Europe, USA, Australia & Bali’ trophy at the India Travel Award 2025, Pradeep Agrawal, General Manager, Worldwide DMC, said, “Winning this award motivates us to excel. This prestigious recognition boosts our business, validating our team’s hard work and dedication, driving us to innovate and deliver exceptional travel experiences.”

Speaking about the potential India poses for the luxury safari sector, Kennedy Ayoti, COO, Sopa Lodges, says, “Today, the Indian market stands at number three for us in terms of numbers. This made us realise its potential, so we took the initiative to study the market’s behaviour internally to be operationally prepared. Since our focused entry into India and partnering with Global Destination, we have realised tremendous growth — not less than 30% in barely a year. The cake is so big for everyone, and we want the lion’s share of it.”

The Ministry of External Affairs has sought assurance from China that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be “selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained, or harassed” and that Beijing will “respect” regulations governing international air travel. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also issued a travel advisory warning Indians travelling to, or transiting through China to exercise due discretion.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in its just released Global Outlook, updated its analysis of aerospace supply chain bottlenecks noting that aircraft availability remains one of the most significant constraints on industry growth. While deliveries of new aircraft began to pick up in late 2025 and production is expected to accelerate in 2026, demand is forecast to outstrip the availability of aircraft and engines. “Airlines are feeling the impact of the aerospace supply chain challenges across their business. Higher leasing costs, reduced scheduling flexibility, delayed sustainability gains and increased reliance on suboptimal aircraft types are the most obvious challenges. Airlines are missing opportunities to strengthen their top-line, improve their environmental performance and serve customers. Meanwhile travellers are seeing higher costs from the resulting tighter demand/supply conditions. No effort should be spared to accelerate solutions before the impact becomes even more acute,” said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts stands united with its communities during this period of adversity and remains committed to supporting recovery efforts while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its guests and employees. Adverse weather linked to Cyclone Ditwah temporarily affected operations at several of its properties. The hotel group has issued a statement that says, ‘At a time when many of the communities continue to feel the impact of the floods, our thoughts are with everyone affected. Throughout this period, our priority has remained the safety and wellbeing of our teams, our communities, and the guests in our care. All guest safety protocols were upheld, in house guests remained safe, and timely updates were shared with our travel partners and stakeholders to ensure clarity and continuity. Thanks to the swift response and dedication of our teams, we are pleased to confirm that all affected resorts Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon have now resumed welcoming guests.’ Hishan Singhawansa- CEO -Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, says, “Despite the temporary disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah, I am immensely proud of how swiftly and safely our teams restored full operations. Our focus now is twofold, continuing to support the communities around us as they rebuild, and ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of every guest who places their trust in us. The warmth and resilience of Sri Lanka’s hospitality remain unchanged, and all our properties are fully operational and ready to warmly welcome Indian travellers this holiday season.” As of 1st December 2025, all Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts properties are fully operational. Resorts’ operations are functioning as normal. Importantly, business continues uninterrupted across its …

Wynn Resorts announced continued progress on Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated resort to open in the United Arab Emirates. The 305-meter tower is nearing its full height, with topping-out expected in late November 2025, ahead of the planned spring 2027 opening. The tower has now reached the 70th floor, and work on the roof deck is underway. Progress on the tower’s exterior is advancing at pace, with 19,206 of the 26,247 façade panels installed, representing 73% completion. Across the resort’s low-rise structures, the combined concrete and steel works are now 97% complete. Exterior façades, interior fit-out, and the installation of elevators and escalators are all progressing steadily. Wynn Al Marjan Island will feature 1,530 rooms, suites, townhouses, and Marina Estates. Structural work is now complete for 1,526 of the 1,530 accommodations, representing 99.7% progress. Interior fit-out is also well advanced, with work underway in 1,504 rooms- approximately 98% of the total- as mechanical, electrical, and finishing activities continue across the property. Most recently, Wynn Al Marjan Island announced the introduction of Coral Court, the resort’s Events & Celebrations Center. Created for weddings, galas, and international gatherings, the 7,700-square-meter venue features a column-free Grand Ballroom, six versatile meeting rooms, private salons for bride and groom, prayer rooms, and an event lawn overlooking the Arabian ocean. Designed with a sense of quiet elegance, the space pairs natural light with a sun-washed palette to frame each celebration beautifully — ensuring the occasion, not the architecture, remains the centerpiece. In addition, Wynn Al Marjan Island also recently unveiled the first details of its dining and events portfolio. Among 22 restaurants, lounges, and bars planned for the resort are an elegant French-American steakhouse by …