India’s rising influence in global tourism was spotlighted at the 54th Skal Asia Congress, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently, as Padmashri Dr. Mukesh Batra, President of Skal International South Mumbai, was honoured with two prestigious Asian Awards. The recognition celebrates the chapter’s outstanding contributions to tourism leadership, sustainability, and collaborative growth, reinforcing India’s expanding footprint on the world tourism map. Themed around “Unity, Leadership, and Transformational Tourism,” the Congress brought together over 275 delegates from 19 countries, including dignitaries such as Skål International President Denise Scrafton, Skål Asia President – Keethi Jayaweera, Skål Colombo President -Ahintha Amarasinghe, Congress Chairperson – Sharmili Vaz, and Skål India National President – Sanjeev Mehra. Skål International Mumbai South received: • 1st Runner-Up for Highest Growth in Numbers • 2nd Runner-Up for Highest Percentage Growth These awards honour the Mumbai chapter’s dynamic expansion and increasing member engagement over the past year. Receiving the award, Dr. Batra said, “It was an honour to accept two Asian Awards on behalf of the Skal Club. This recognition comes at a critical time when tourism is evolving toward sustainability, community engagement, and ethical growth. This is a collective recogniton, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our members who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.” He also took the opportunity to invite delegates from across the globe to visit Mumbai at the Skål India National Congress 2025 in Mumbai to be hosted by Skal Mumbai South. India had a strong presence at the Congress with over 120 delegates representing 13 clubs, demonstrating Skal India’s growing influence. Other Indian clubs were also recognised at the Congress, but Skål Mumbai South received two awards, underscoring its performance and …

Destination DC has announced the relaunch of its Washington, DC Special Agent Academy, complete with an exciting new incentive for travel professionals in India. This interactive, online training program empowers agents with the knowledge and resources they need to expertly sell Washington, DC as a premier U.S. travel destination. As part of this relaunch, Indian travel professionals who complete the Special Agent Academy by 31st July 2025 will be eligible to win Amazon gift vouchers worth Rs. 3000. Participants must successfully complete the academy’s three engaging ‘Core Missions’ to earn the coveted title of Washington, DC Special Agent: Mission Information: Essential details about Washington, DC. Mission 3M’s: Monuments, Memorials, and Museums—exploring DC’s most iconic attractions. Mission There’s Only 1 DC: Understanding what makes Washington, DC truly unique. Why Enroll?By becoming a certified Washington, DC Special Agent, travel professionals will: Enhance their expertise in the U.S. capital, becoming trusted advisors for clients planning American holidays. Unlock access to exclusive discounts and rewards for themselves and their clients. Stand a chance to win Amazon gift vouchers worth up to Rs. 3000. Travel professionals can register for the Washington, DC Special Agent Academy today by visiting washington.org/traveltrade/special-agent-academy. Complete all three missions by 31st July 2025 to qualify for this limited-time incentive

Agoda has revealed its list of the most budget-friendly summer destinations in Asia for June to August 2025. Surabaya, Indonesia, leads the list with an average room rate of just INR 3037 per night*, making it a top choice for those eager to embrace culture and adventure this summer. Surabaya is followed closely by Tirupati, with average room rates of ₹3211 per night.

Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) South Chapter has announced its newly elected committee for 2025–2026. Chairman and Regional Director is Joyson, Vice Chairperson is Princy K.D, Secretary is Dinesh, and Treasurer is Vimalesh. The new chairman plans to host an event in Bengaluru every alternate month and take ETAA events to tier 2 cities as well.

The next decade promises some significant and exciting developments in airport infrastructure. Plans are underway at various locations around the world to expand passenger facilities, enabling some of the world’s largest airports to handle over 100 million passengers annually.

A bold new ocean experience is surfacing on 23 July! Find out what your next student group can explore at the new Singapore Oceanarium at this webinar on 11 July at 3pm hosted by Resorts World Sentosa. It is slated to open in Q3 2025 and will have immersive exhibits, digital storytelling, and a focus on marine research, redefining how we experience the ocean. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 96501 96532.

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, claims, “We are the largest hotel chain in India. Given our recent signings and the brand’s strong growth trajectory, India is set to become Marriott’s third-largest market globally within the next 2-3 years. By the end of next year, we expect to have nearly 250 operational hotels in the country. We are also on track to more than double our presence from 40 to 90 locations across India. Our focus remains on getting the right distribution and being in the right places.”

General Travel New Zealand has successfully concluded its 5-city India roadshow from 30th June to 4th July 2025, covering Jaipur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore. The roadshow received an enthusiastic response from the Indian travel trade community and served as a key platform for promoting New Zealand as a premier long-haul destination for Indian travelers. This year’s edition marked a significant milestone, featuring the largest Kiwi delegation to date, with 16 leading tourism companies from New Zealand participating. The delegation showcased a wide array of travel experiences — from seat-in-coach adventures and cultural immersions to luxury stays and soft adventure — all tied together with General Travel’s Kiwiway Vacations FIT packages. The group has been promoting tailored programs to suit the preferences of the Indian outbound market. Participating companies included prominent tourism and hospitality brands such as Skyline Enterprises, Southern Discoveries, Entrada Group, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, RealNZ, Transport World Invercargill, Polynesian Spa, Te Puia, Totally Tourism (Helicopter Line), BLACK, The Helicopter Line, Sudima Hotels, Millennium Hotels, Distinction Hotels, Scenic Hotel Group, RotoruaNZ, West Coast Tourism, and Air New Zealand. Together, they presented a comprehensive and inspiring view of New Zealand’s offerings, catering to various segments including FITs, families, honeymooners, and luxury travelers. Speaking about the roadshow’s success, Anna Black, Executive Director of General Travel New Zealand, said: “India continues to be a key and growing market for New Zealand. The enthusiasm and genuine interest shown by Indian travel agents across all five cities has been truly encouraging. This roadshow was a fantastic opportunity for our partners to build meaningful connections and better understand the preferences of the Indian traveler. We’re excited about the future potential and look forward to …

IndiGo commenced direct flights between Mumbai and Adampur (Jalandhar). This new route is part of IndiGo’s strategy to enhance connectivity between key regional hubs and tier-2 cities. Punjab plays a vital role in India’s economic and cultural landscape, and connecting it with India’s financial capital, Mumbai, unlocks the potential of the state’s growing industrial and agricultural sectors with greater access to commercial ports. It will also benefit tourism by encouraging greater exposure to the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. With Adampur as its 92nd domestic destination, IndiGo continues to expand the network, delivering on its promise of on-time travel experience that is affordable, courteous & hassle-free. Adampur (Jalandhar) is a town located in the Jalandhar district of Punjab. Known for its strategic location on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road, it houses the Adampur Air Force Station, one of the oldest airbases in the country. Adampur also has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of traditional Punjabi lifestyle and growing urban influence. Adampur offers access to several nearby attractions. Rangla Punjab Haveli showcases traditional Punjabi culture, while Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar is a popular spiritual site. Pushpa Gujral Science City provides fun, educational experiences, and Wonderland Theme Park is perfect for family outings. These spots make Adampur a great base to explore Punjab’s culture and entertainment.

Speaking to stakeholders recently, Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western Region), India Tourism Mumbai, says “As India charts its course on the global tourism map, I urge the industry to focus on inclusive growth, accessible tourism, technological innovation and sustainability. These are not just aspirations but imperatives for future-ready hospitality. The Tourism Ministry is committed to partnering with the industry through initiatives like NIDHI Plus, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak and Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India.”