The Government of Odisha has launched a luxury cruise service on the Chilika Lake at Barkul in Khurda district. Deputy CM of Odisha Pravati Parida says, “Tourists can relish the beauty of Kalijai Island and Nalabana Bird Sanctuary while travelling on the luxury cruises at Chilika, which will undoubtedly boost tourism in the state. Commissioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the service has begun with two luxury vessels.

Global music icon Lionel Richie, whose illustrious career has spanned decades, took to the stage at Atlantis, The Palm’s world-famous New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, entertaining guests with his greatest hits and fan favourites on the biggest night of the year. Celebrated for his soulful voice and magnetic stage presence, Richie performed timeless classics including “Hello”, “All Night Long (All Night),” “Easy,” and “Brick House” along with many additional popular hits. Richie’s much-loved 60-minute set which saw him captivate audiences from all corners of the globe with his artistry on the grand piano, brought the house down in the run up to the 2025 countdown. Adding to the night’s exciting atmosphere, Atlantis Dubai lit up the sky with 12,975 fireworks spanning from Atlantis, The Palm to the world’s most ultra-luxury experiential resort, Atlantis The Royal as guests watched in wonder. More than 4,000 guests, including Dubai residents and visitors alike, rang in the new year in dazzling style. Accommodated on a custom-built deck overlooking The Palm Island and twinkling skyline, the legendary event featured a fantastic 30-piece band, free-flowing Champagne, and a lavish buffet, including 50kg of caviar, two tonnes of lobster, 300kg of Alaskan king crab and 6,000 oysters. Atlantis, The Palm also expanded its seating this year to include brand-new VIP Sky Suites, featuring enhanced amenities, award-winning dining options and breathtaking views of the stage and fireworks display to create a truly unforgettable experience.

IHCL announces the opening of Taj Puri Resort & Spa, a luxurious beachfront resort in Odisha. Situated along the Bay of Bengal, it marks IHCL’s foray into one of India’s most revered coastal destinations. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “By introducing iconic locations like Puri to the global luxury stage, we honour India’s rich heritage while pioneering new markets. Going beyond our multi-brand presence in the state’s capital, IHCL is extending its footprint to its prominent cultural and leisure destination. He added, “Offering a spiritual circuit on the east coast of India, from Chennai, Tirupati, Bhubaneshwar to now Puri, this new opening will unlock the tourism potential of the region.” A short walk from Puri Beach, the 90-key Taj Puri Resort & Spa offers panoramic views of the ocean and the serene, landscaped gardens. Designed with inspiration from the region’s Kalinga architecture, the interiors showcase traditional Khondalite and laterite stonework, complemented by intricate Pattachitra art, Ikat weaves, and terracotta accents, creating an ambiance of timeless elegance. Guests can embark on a culinary adventure at Vista, our all-day dining restaurant; Jaatra, a specialty restaurant serving a fusion of Odia and Indonesian cuisine alongside South East Asian cuisine; and Jaatra Bar, where you can savor classic and innovative cocktails all complemented by stunning views of the Bay. For events and celebrations, the 14,000 sq. ft. lawn is ideal for weddings and large gatherings, alongside indoor banquet facilities. Guests can rejuvenate at the J Wellness Circle, offering wellness therapies inspired by ancient traditions and explore the state-of-the-art fitness centre. Ankit Tandon, General Manager, Taj Puri Resort & Spa, Odisha, said “We are delighted to welcome guests to Taj Puri Resort & …

Addressing the issue of banks not proving loans for big cars or imported cars during the Indian Tourist Transporters Association convention, Union Culture & Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said, “I will engage with the banking sector to ask about their apprehensions and understand why this happens and what can be done to resolve this. We will discuss these issues and work together to find a solution.”

India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has said that India must position itself as a global hub for MICE. He added, “The MICE market is vast and largely untapped in our country. With the development of state-of-the-art facilities like Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam, India now has the potential to capitalise on this. We must ensure, much like Germany has done with its leading venues, that we attract the world’s largest and most prestigious meetings to our shores. Yashobhoomi, designed to be the largest and most advanced convention center globally, surpasses any comparable facility, including those in China. With these world-class facilities, India can and should draw the biggest MICE events from across the globe.”

As per the latest statistics from ForwardKeys, India’s urban air travel market is experiencing a strong recovery, reflecting the evolving dynamics and opportunities across various regions. As the market continues to rebound, total seat capacity in 2024 is expected to reach 45.7 million, marking a 12% increase compared to 2023 and a 15% growth from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Launching the new Guidelines of Film Grant Booklet, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma, said, “We are launching the new guidelines for the film production – an area which I am very, very keen to promote again. There are so many programmes that the state government is running today to support the youth, and we want you to take advantage of that. The Film Grant Booklet is our commitment to support filmmakers in their endeavours providing a necessary framework for financial assistance and ensuring that creative minds have the resources to bring their visions to life.”

World`s steepest cableway is open! The world’s steepest cable car has started operating from Saturday, 14th December 2024. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was officially opened the day before as part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the same time, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg will go into operation. It marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project: the opening of the new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in just four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a height of 775 metres on a journey of almost 1194 metres. The two cable cars from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have space for 85 people or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 people per hour can be transported at full capacity. A striking feature is the very long suspension arm of 11 metres, which was essential due to the extreme gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors enables autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car. Grand opening On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable car was officially opened in the presence of over 600 guests. The lively celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, took place in the new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the …

Sharing a broad strategy for next year, Anoop Tewari, Business & Commercial Strategy (Aviation and Travel Technology), ITQ, says “We are looking big, going by the tide and seeing the direction we are heading to invest as ITQ. Of course, Travelport is also investing a lot on technology as ITQ will be implementing a lot on tech solutions for travel agents to make their life easy, focusing on content, focusing on forward integration of solutions which help them handle their customers well and also help them scale up their business, make them bigger.”

The number of Indians wanting to fly business class has seen a sharp uptick this holiday season compared to last year. While the trend is more pronounced in international travel, travel agents and online platforms suggest that it is also emerging on many domestic routes. Data shared by MakeMyTrip showed that business class bookings from India across domestic as well as international routes have gone up by 50% this year compared to the same period last year. This is based on the analysis of search and booking data between December 16 and 31. For international bookings, there has been an 80% rise in business class bookings, and for domestic bookings, the jump is 27%.