Insights from American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report state that Indian travellers are prioritising unique experiences and purchases. While 50% Indians are planning an international trip in 2025 to purchase a luxury good/investment piece, 58% are planning to travel to domestic and international destinations to attend a specific concert or show. Indians are willing to go the distance and travel both domestically (36%) and internationally (32%) for a sporting event in 2025.

Marriott Hotels, the namesake brand of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announced the opening of Udaipur Marriott Hotel, marking Marriott International’s debut in Udaipur. Set against the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills and overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, the hotel blends Rajasthan’s rich regal heritage with contemporary influences. “We are delighted to introduce Marriott Hotels to Udaipur, a city renowned for its majestic landscapes, deep cultural roots, and old-world charm. Udaipur is one of the most preferred destinations in Rajasthan and serves as a perfect backdrop to introduce our signature heartfelt service and quality standards to the guests,” said Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President – South Asia, Marriott International. “As India’s travel landscape evolves, we remain committed to growing our footprint in both established and emerging destinations, as we continue to live our legacy of wonderful hospitality, thoughtfully designed to support and inspire our guests in every endeavor”. The 226 guestrooms and suites are inspired by Rajasthan’s royal heritage. “We are excited to unveil Udaipur Marriott Hotel, bringing the brand’s signature hospitality to the enchanting ‘City of Lakes,’” said Vaibhav Sagar, General Manager, Udaipur Marriott Hotel. “Designed to reflect Udaipur’s regal charm, the hotel offers elegant accommodations, world-class dining, modern event spaces, and exceptional amenities. Weaving Rajasthan’s rich heritage with contemporary comforts, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for every guest, whether traveling for business or leisure.”

Miiro, the new lifestyle hotel brand from InterGlobe Enterprises, is proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of Templeton Garden, marking the brand’s debut in the UK and the fourth opening in Europe in less than a year. The property is located in the historic Earl’s Court, an area once home to world-renowned writers. With its tranquil retreat, the hotel exemplifies Miiro’s commitment to setting new standards in hospitality by blending contemporary design with timeless English elegance. Templeton Garden features 156 rooms and suites, with many offering gorgeous views of the garden that forms the green heart of the hotel while upholding the area’s leafy heritage. The hotel’s contemporary interiors have been carefully thought out and created in collaboration with some of the highly acclaimed British designers to create a peaceful sanctuary for guests and locals alike. Each space is designed to serve as a calming urban retreat. The restaurant and bar at Templeton Garden overlook the hotel’s own garden, drawing inspiration from British seasons. A specially designed and hand-painted mural by a decorative artist depicts the garden’s plants, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere. Throughout the property, an art collection selected to complement the neutral interiors and highlight local artists is on display. Additional hotel spaces include a comfortable area that welcomes guests as they enter the property, The Library —offering a curated collection of works by iconic authors, a state-of-the-art gym, and Miiro’s signature Refresh Room. Indian travellers seeking an authentic and enriching London experience will find a unique haven in Templeton Garden. The hotel provides a charming and comfortable base for exploring the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. The property embodies the spirit of its surroundings, offering guests …

In a landmark move to boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global travel industry, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched its Together in Travel SME initiative, with VFS Global proudly joining as a Founding Partner. WTTC is the only global body representing the travel and tourism private sector and its numerous industries. Over 200 companies are now represented on the Council, accounting for two-thirds of a trillion US dollars in turnover, equivalent to 30% of the entire sector Drawing on more than two decades of experience in technological innovation and market expansion, VFS Global is uniquely placed to share its expertise with a broader network of travel businesses. This new programme enables the empowerment of even more SMEs, helping them thrive in an ever-evolving travel ecosystem. VFS Global will actively support SMEs across its network spanning over 150 countries, recognising their pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering cost-effective growth, and promoting sustainable development within the travel and tourism sector. VFS Global remains committed to empowering SMEs to scale their operations and achieve significant progress, forging new opportunities for sustainable success. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, “We are delighted to welcome VFS Global as a Founding Partner of Together in Travel. Their invaluable expertise, global network and industry leadership will play a crucial role in shaping this platform, empowering SMEs around the world with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive. By joining forces, we are creating a more resilient and inclusive Travel & Tourism sector, ensuring businesses of all sizes can flourish in the global marketplace. Additionally, we are excited to welcome Andrea Grisdale as Vice Chair—her vast experience and leadership …

The vibrant city of Surat witnessed a landmark moment as the Installation and Inauguration Ceremony of the newly formed Skål International Surat – South Gujarat club took place at Emerald 1, Orange Megastructure LLP (formerly TGB) at 1900 hrs. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Skål International India board members and was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and commitment from all participants. This newest addition to the Skål India family marks a significant step in the organization’s mission to establish active clubs in every state and union territory of the country. The event was characterized by valuable discussions, forward-thinking suggestions, and a shared vision for collaborative growth in the tourism and hospitality sector. “It is heartening to see the spirit with which Surat has embraced the Skål movement. This club is set to become a beacon of positive change for the region’s tourism community. Our mission remains to be the unified voice of progress and cooperation in Indian travel and hospitality,” said Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India. The Skål International Surat – South Gujarat team also expressed their eagerness to contribute actively to the network. “We are honored to become part of this global movement. With passion, purpose, and partnership, we aim to elevate Surat’s presence in the international tourism map,” said Rajiv Shah, President, Skål International Surat – South Gujarat. The Office Bearers of the newly inaugurated Club Are Rajiv Shah – President, Vikas Gupta – Vice President, Sumit Bansal – Secretary, Vimal Vaghani – Treasurer, Sumit Saluja – Director-PR, Communication& CSR, Nitin Gupta – Membership Development Officer. Skål India continues its journey with renewed zeal to foster professional camaraderie, build bridges across borders, and create opportunities that …

Global Destinations steps in as the official Sales and Marketing arm for Ada Tours in India. With this exciting partnership, Ada Tours, a leading inbound tour operator (DMC) specializing in Brazil, Latin America, Central and South America, and Antarctica, brings bespoke, high-touch travel experiences to India’s fast-growing outbound market. Founded in 2007, Ada Tours has curated exceptional, personalized journeys for over 10,000 happy travelers, offering a wide range of travel solutions for individual travelers, families, friends, corporate groups, MICE, and special interest segments. Their portfolio spans VIP experiences, adventure and eco-tourism, gourmet and wine-focused tours, cultural journeys, and niche programs for professionals such as baristas, chefs, perfumers, and spiritual travelers. The company has also successfully managed delegations for major global events such as BRICS, G20, the Olympics, and international sporting events. With a highly experienced multilingual team fluent in seven languages, Ada Tours ensures 24/7 ground support, deep local insights, and curated experiences, making them a trusted DMC for travelers seeking authentic journeys through Latin America. Strategic Partnership to Expand Latin America’s Reach in India Through this partnership, Global Destinations will focus on building Ada Tours’ brand visibility, trade relationships, product training, and customized itinerary support in India. The collaboration aims to tap into the growing interest among Indian travelers for offbeat, exotic, and experiential destinations, including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, and beyond. Speaking of this significant partnership, Pranav Kapadia, Founder & Director of Global Destinations, shared, “We are excited to represent Ada Tours in India and bring their deep expertise and creative travel solutions for Latin America to our market. With Indian travelers increasingly seeking unique and meaningful experiences, destinations like Brazil and other parts of Latin America …

Special Director General of Police Varun Kapoor conducted a workshop on cyber crime and cyber security for the Travel Agents of Association of India at the Jal Auditorium on 8 April. The workshop was attended by the TAAI team as well as travel agents and stakeholders of the city. TAAI MP CG Chairman Hemendra Singh Jadon, Munish Kumar from Air India, Arvind Rathore from Indigo Airlines Travel Agents and trade partners were present in the workshop. Addressing the workshops, Dr. Kapoor said that the use of computers, smart phones has increased a lot and most of our time is spent on social networking sites, online games, shopping. The use of computers, smart phones, internet has become a part of our life. With their increasing use, the number of cyber crimes has increased. Children and women are most at risk from this. Cyber ​​criminals make their victims using email, chat rooms, social networking sites, fake websites and software. Due to this, incidents of digital arrests have also increased, for which awareness campaigns are being run across the country. It must be kept in mind that do not accept friend requests from unknown persons on social media. Do not share your personal information such as date of birth, address, phone number, bank account information, credit/debit card information, password and OTP, etc. Keep changing your passwords from time to time. If someone on the phone, claiming to be a bank employee, asks you for information about your bank account, credit card/debit card etc., do not give it. Do not like, comment and forward every post on social media unnecessarily and without investigation. Do not click on unknown links. Do not install software, apps, …

Hyatt Hotels plans to introduce its all-inclusive resorts to India breaking new ground in the branded hospitality segment in the country. Sunjae Sharma, Managing Director, Hyatt (India and South West Asia), says that the hotel group is planning to introduce its all-inclusive brands Ziva and Zilara brands to India. He added that he is convinced India is ready for the all-inclusive model as domestic guests now account for up to 80% of its bookings.

Sharing his audacious vision for IHCL, its CEO & MD, Puneet Chhatwal, says, “With the highest GDP growth and a rapidly expanding middle-income segment, the road ahead for Indian hospitality looks exceptionally promising. Over the past seven years of my tenure—including the challenging pandemic years—IHCL has evolved into a robust brand with a portfolio of over 380 hotels. On average, we have opened 15 hotels annually and we are committed to maintaining this momentum. We aim to double our revenue and portfolio to 700 hotels by 2030. When you have willingness to do, you find ways to do it.”

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will have its refurbished ship Norwegian Sky dock at the Mumbai port on April 7 as part of its 14-night port-intensive Asia itinerary. Norwegian Sky is sailing from Singapore with stops in Port Klang (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand), Galle (Sri Lanka), Kochi (April 4), New Mangalore (April 5), Mormugao (April 6), Mumbai (April 7), Dubai and Abu Dhabi before concluding its journey in Doha, Qatar. At the Mumbai stopover, guests will have the opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage, whether its iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or its bustling markets and historic neighbourhoods. This visit reflected NCL’s commitment to curating more immersive local experiences that connect the brand’s international guests with the destinations they visit. “Asia remains a key focus for NCL, both as a source market and a sought-after destination for global travellers. The arrival of Norwegian Sky in Mumbai highlights our dedication to offering diverse and immersive itineraries across the region.” said Manoj Singh, Country Head- India, Norwegian Cruise Line.  “Following her visit to India, Norwegian Sky will explore Europe’s most captivating destinations in 2025 and 2026 providing Indian travellers the opportunity to experience more to see, more to do and more to enjoy on a range of 7–15-day immersive itineraries that will visit a new destination each day while enjoying world-class dining, entertainment and relaxation onboard”. Spanning 846 feet (258 meters) in length with a gross tonnage of 77,104, Norwegian Sky accommodates 1944 guests and 899 crew members, offering a well-appointed cruising experience Originally launched in 1999 and refurbished in 2024, the ship features a variety of dining venues, entertainment spaces and recreational facilities providing guests with a comfortable …