Yas Island has established a dedicated team and allocated resources to offer attractive incentives for MICE companies and events. They also provide incentives for Indian weddings, which are a substantial market. Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations, announced this proactive approach.

The 38th IATO Convention will be held from 29 Sept to 2 Oct in Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra. The inauguration will be done on 29th evening, sessions on 30th and 1st, and 2nd Oct the post-tours will take place. 

Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy said that the centre provides 100% finance to the state to implement the tourism-related schemes. And, more than Rs 4000 crore is being spent to develop infrastructure for adventure tourism in border villages. 

Himalayan Travels, a leading travel and tourism company, is proud to announce that they will be hosting a free Sikkim Fam Trip for 100 delegates in July 2023. The trip is designed to promote Sikkim as a premier destination for tourists and to showcase the region’s unique culture, natural beauty, and adventure opportunities. The fam trip will provide an opportunity for travel agents, tour operators, and other industry professionals to experience firsthand the beauty of Sikkim and its surroundings. The delegates will visit popular tourist spots of Gangtok and Darjeeling, and will have the opportunity to participate in various sightseeing activities. “We are thrilled to host this fam trip to showcase the beauty of Sikkim,” said Mr. Aditya Bothra, the CEO of Himalayan Travels. “Sikkim is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists, and we hope that this trip will encourage more people to visit and discover its natural beauty and unique culture.” The fam trip is completely free, and delegates will be provided with accommodation, transportation, and meals for the duration of the trip. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with other industry professionals and gain valuable insights into the tourism industry in Sikkim. “We believe that this fam trip will be an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to learn about Sikkim as a destination and to create new partnerships,” said Mr. Bothra. “We are excited to share our passion for Sikkim with delegates and to showcase all that this beautiful region has to offer.”

WTTC’s 2023 Economic Impact Research reveals the Travel & Tourism sector is close to its 2019 peak, recovering over 95%. It’s expected to reach $9.5TN in 2023, just 5% below pre-pandemic levels. 34 countries surpassed 2019 levels. The sector is also predicted to recover 95% of its 2019 job level. 

Rajasthan aims to promote water activities and golf tourism alongside its existing attractions. Stakeholders predict a bright future for golf tourism in the state, with the RTDC already issuing an EOI for interested parties to develop and operate golf courses. 

The Tripura government plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore to improve tourism infrastructure and make the state a world-class destination. Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury expressed confidence that the funding will be sufficient for a tourism boom, with support from the Centre. 

G Kishan Reddy, Minister of tourism highlighted that under Hon. PM’s leadership the whole of government is focussed on addressing the issues faced by investors and urged them to consider greater investments in tourism and hospitality sector. 

IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo and InterGlobe Foundation (IGF), the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, organised a heritage walk on April 23, 2023 in Shillong, Meghalaya. The walk is part of the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the value and importance of heritage and culture in India. The objective is to set the tone for conversations and partnerships around the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage. ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign kicked off November 2022 in Delhi, followed by heritage walks in Prayagraj and Bhubaneswar. The walk conducted in India’s rock music capital, Shillong, was led by Mary Therese Kurkalang and accompanied by Anees Ailynti Noronha, IndiGo senior leadership, staff members, members of local community and government officials. The walk explored iconic landmarks such as Dylan’s Café, St Edmund’s Church, Laitumkhrah Market, Don Bosco Square, the Catholic Cathedral, Ward’s Lake and concluded at Pinewood Hotel. Speaking at the occasion, Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “Shillong is a major tourist attraction and has carved a niche with its distinct culture and scenic beauty. We are proud to connect the Shillong with the rest of the country and overseas with 18 weekly flights. This heritage walk is an extension of our love for Shillong’s rich heritage and is a small effort towards helping in its preservation. Our unparalleled route network in India connects people and places, and we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to responsible practices and giving back to the community we serve, all while enhancing accessibility to these architectural marvels.” Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “InterGlobe Foundation is proud to be part of the ‘My City My Heritage’ …

The International Hospitality Council, in collaboration with the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) under the mentorship of Dr Suborno Bose, successfully organised the International Hospitality Day (IHD) on 24 April 2023. The virtual event brought together speakers and hospitality industry experts from around the world for an international convention on hospitality. On this occasion, the Global Hospitality Awards 2023 were also held wherein the prestigious Hall of Fame Award was given to Nakul Anand, the Executive Director of ITC, for his invaluable contributions to the hospitality industry. Mr Anand has rewritten the rules of global hospitality with his ‘Responsible Luxury’ initiative and transformation of ITC Hotels into a future-forward, pro-sustainability green hotel chain. The event began with opening remarks from Dr Bose (CEO, IIHM Hotel School Worldwide), who highlighted the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry. Professor David Foskett MBE (Chairman, International Hospitality Council London) delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on the hospitality industry and how the industry is transforming and becoming future-ready. The Special speaker, Megna Shankaranarayanan, Industry Head, Travel & Food Tech, APAC, Google, shared insights on Google trends for the hospitality industry. Celebrity chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and Ranveer Brar also shared their experiences and ideas on how to make the hospitality industry more sustainable. Dr Bose then unveiled his much-anticipated new book, The Art of Sustainable Hospitality, which offers a comprehensive guide to sustainable hospitality practices. He also felicitated Nayanjyoti Saikia, the winner of MasterChef India 2023, who interacted with Naureen Shaikh, the YCO 2023 bronze medallist, about their experiences in the hospitality industry. Their interaction was moderated by Sanjay Kak, Culinary Director of IIHM and Indismart. Nayanjyoti Saikia was also felicitated with the Special Jury award by Dr Suborno …