“We are looking to focus more on niche discerning audiences and value tourism more than volume. The India market is evolving towards luxury, as is our strategy, says Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France India, on the sidelines of an insightful panel the NTO hosted on luxury travel to lend perspective on luxury to travel agents as to what the Indian luxury traveller is seeking. Munshaw adds, “They are changing rapidly. This demanding audience are all-year-round travellers seeking unusual accommodation and immersive authentic stays. But luxury clients are changing very quickly, so we need to keep calibrating as well.”

The 13th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok concluded, drawing 39 international stakeholders from 19 countries and over 90 domestic operators. V Vidyavathi, Secretary, MoT, said, “One of the key themes this year is the rise of home state focus tourism, an emerging trend that Northeastern states have been among the first to champion.” 

ExpoInn Suites & Convention has been awarded Best Convention Hotel at the India Travel Awards. Yogendra Solanki, Revenue Manager, said, “Winning the India Travel Award for Best Convention Hotel is a proud milestone that reflects our team’s passion and positions us to set even higher benchmarks in hospitality.” The accolade recognises their commitment to exceptional service and guest experiences.

CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, GSTC, said if India integrates GSTC criteria into its tourism policies, it will provide clarity for states and credibility for businesses. Certification also makes business sense. Platforms like Booking.com and MakeMyTrip prioritise certified hotels in their search rankings, improving visibility and bookings. Sustainability, therefore, is both a growth strategy and a risk mitigation tool, he noted

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has successfully launched the upgraded PSP V2.0, GPSP V2.0, and e-passport for Indian citizens in India and abroad. The revamped website and mobile app now provide auto-filled forms, simplified document uploads, and seamless online payments via UPI or QR codes, making the passport application process faster and more convenient.

Speaking at TravTalk ThinkTank held at Le Meridien New Delhi, Ruhani Duggal, Founder & Lead Curator, Vilasa Luxury Travel, said, “We have to understand that a country’s product offerings and perception go hand-in-hand. Marketing alone is not enough to shift perception.” She emphasised that India’s luxury must be emotionally packaged to resonate with mobile, expressive travellers.

After a successful WTM presence, the Ministry of Tourism is planning wider outreach and deeper collaboration with private players. Harikishore S, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said interest in India is rising and the country must expand its presence at key shows. Work is also underway to explore AI tools that enhance traveller discovery and planning.

At the recent India Travel Awards, Asego Travel Insurance was presented the Excellence in Travel Insurance Services Award. Akshay Sharma, AVP, Corporate Vertical & Key Relations, Asego, said, “Winning this award is a tremendous honour, validating our team’s dedication and commitment to excellence. It inspires us to innovate, enhance performance, boost morale, and leverage new opportunities.”

IATA’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey shows 54 per cent of travellers prefer dealing directly with airlines through mobile apps. Airline website bookings dropped from 37 to 31 per cent last year. Web app preference rose to from 16 to 19 per cent, led by younger travellers, signalling growing confidence in mobile-first travel management.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, announced disbursal of ₹460 crore for acquiring land for Kangra Airport expansion, with ₹1,899 crore more ready for disbursal. Reviewing tourism projects, he said the expansion will boost Kangra’s economy, create jobs, and attract high-end tourists. He urged faster completion of heliport and ADB-funded tourism projects statewide.