According to a report by Booking.com, Indian travellers are among the world’s most excited about AI, with 99% expressing enthusiasm and 98% keen to use it for planning trips. AI assistants now outrank influencers in trust. However, most travellers prefer human oversight, with only 16% fully trusting AI to make independent travel decisions. 

IATO is optimistic about boosting inbound tourism to Puri, Odisha, through its annual convention. Highlighting the potential impact of the event, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said, “With government support in marketing and promotion, IATO’s action plan could drive a 20–25% rise in inbound tourist arrivals, adding ₹8,000–10,000 crore annually to the local economy.” 

Under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 42 destinations across four themes and sanctioned 36 projects, including in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the projects aim to enhance infrastructure and boost employment by March 2026. 

Jammu & Kashmir recorded over 95.9 lakh domestic tourist visits from January to June 2025, despite the April terror attack in Pahalgam, government data shows. The Centre confirmed that no economic impact assessment was conducted. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said efforts are ongoing to support local stakeholders and revive tourism in the region. 

Ajeet Bajaj, Vice Chairman, FAITH, said the top policy priorities this year include rationalisation of GST-reducing incidence across the tourism value chain and allowing set-offs to boost competitiveness. He also stressed on export industry status for inbound tourism and centre-state alignment to avoid policy fragmentation and accelerate infrastructure development.

Jaal Shah, Founder, RezLive.com and Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group, said, “Agents are increasingly searching for destinations that offer strong experiences without premium pricing. Countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Georgia have seen a noticeable spike in demand. Even within the UAE and India, there’s renewed interest in tier-II cities that provide solid infrastructure without the cost of major metros.”

Amid escalating Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, the Indian Embassy in Thailand has advised Indian tourists to stay alert and check updates from official Thai sources like the TAT Newsroom. Travel to attractions in seven Thai provinces is not recommended. The advisory follows deadly clashes and diplomatic strain between the two nations.

Goa has received ₹383.20 crore in central tourism grants since 2017, said Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister. Projects include beach circuits, Colva, Basilica upgrades and a proposed Shivaji museum. “The Centre’s support is helping us enhance infrastructure and promote Goa as a world-class tourism destination,” he said.

OTOAI has signed an MoU with VFS Global, enabling members to offer VFS services and earn via a referral model. This strategic partnership enhances benefits for travel agents, tour operators and visa applicants. The collaboration aims to simplify visa access and strengthen India’s position in global tourism facilitation. 

Personalisation is emerging as a growing trend in travel and tourism, particularly within the luxury segment, as travellers increasingly seek experiences tailored to their individual preferences and lifestyles. At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, senior executives from leading hotel groups, including Minor Hotels, Fairmont and Marriott, examined the rising influence of ‘hyper-personalisation’, which moves away from one-size-fits-all services to offering bespoke guest experiences. Leveraging tools such as AI-driven customisation and chatbots, as well as personalised welcome amenities and bespoke dining options, these brands are redefining the customer journey in the luxury travel segment, which is witnessing a continued surge worldwide. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed by ATM in partnership with Tourism Economics, 85% of hoteliers now consider personalisation as a key driver of commercial value, with tailored experiences shown to generate additional revenue of up to 5%. Furthermore, insights by market intelligence firm Future Market Insight Inc, has revealed the global customisation and personalisation in travel market is expected to reach US$620.71 million by 2032