Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said, “We are engaging with all state governments for regulating adventure tourism and working closely with the Bureau of Indian Standards to standardise practices.” With five empowered chapters and a women’s collective, ATOAI is promoting skill development and encouraging women entrepreneurs nationwide.

Vishnu Deo Sai, CM, Chhattisgarh, said GST 2.0 and the new industrial policy have opened unprecedented opportunities for investors. Tourism now enjoys industrial status, attracting `652 crore in proposals, including Westin Raipur and Amuseorama. Sai urged entrepreneurs to leverage the state’s cultural and natural wealth to boost tourism. “We have moved beyond ‘ease of doing business’ and entered the era of ‘speed of doing business’,” Sai said.

At the Google Think Travel event, it was revealed that Indians are projected to spend $193 billion on travel and tourism in 2025. The figure highlights how travel has shifted from being aspirational to becoming an essential part of lifestyle and leisure choices. The growth reflects rising incomes, increased access to global destinations, and a growing appetite for both domestic and international experiences.

Riya Travel, one of India’s largest and most trusted travel companies with an extensive presence across retail, corporate, and B2B segments, has announced its partnership with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace, the global platform connecting travel sellers and providers through a single, collaborative ecosystem. With over four decades of experience in the travel industry and a widespread network of offices in India and abroad, Riya Travel has built a strong reputation for reliability, service excellence, and scale. By joining Travel Marketplace, Riya will now bring cutting-edge travel technology solutions, apps, and content closer to its diverse customer base — ranging from individual travellers to large corporates and travel partners. GMJ Thampy, Founder and CMD Riya Group Enterprise said: “At Riya Travel, our strength lies in our reach, scale, and the trust we have earned over the years. Partnering with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace allows us to complement these strengths with world-class technology, giving our customers and partners access to faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions. This is an important step in our digital journey to further enhance the travel experience across all segments we serve.” Commenting on the partnership  Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India Sub Continent, Amadeus, added: “We are delighted to welcome Riya Travel to sign up for the Travel Marketplace. Riya’s unmatched scale and presence across multiple segments makes them a powerful force in South Asia’s travel industry. Together, we aim to accelerate digital adoption and empower more travel businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.” This partnership underscores Riya’s focus on driving digital innovation, while supporting Amadeus’ vision to build a smarter, more connected, and technology-enabled travel ecosystem across South Asia.

Customers of Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) will enjoy more options on flights between Singapore and Vietnam, after the two carriers signed a new codeshare agreement that comes into effect on 26th October 2025. Under the arrangement, SIA will codeshare on Vietnam Airlines-operated flights between Singapore and the Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while Vietnam Airlines will codeshare on SIA-operated flights between Singapore and Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. All flights are subject to regulatory approvals. These codeshare flights will be progressively available for sale from 10th October 2025 via both airlines’ sales channels and travel agents. This agreement deepens the partnership between Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Both airlines will also explore adding other destinations in their network to the codeshare agreement, as well as deepening the commercial cooperation that could offer customers more options, enhanced connectivity, and greater value. Nguyen Quang Trung, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, Vietnam Airlines, said: “This codeshare agreement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing strategic partnership between Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines — one of the world’s most prestigious 5-star carriers. The collaboration leverages the extensive route networks and premium services of both airlines, enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore while delivering greater flexibility and a more seamless travel experience for passengers. “For Vietnam Airlines, this partnership not only strengthens our international presence but also supports our commitment to aligning with world-class service standards. We look forward to deepening our cooperation with Singapore Airlines and jointly contributing to the long-term, sustainable development of the regional aviation industry.” Dai Haoyu, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our codeshare partnership with Vietnam Airlines …

While receiving Best Corporate Travel Management Company at ITA 2025, Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman & Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations, said, “This award is a cherished milestone that boosts our visibility in the industry. Every recognition inspires us to grow further. By harnessing AI and machine learning, we aim to deliver curated experiences and strengthen our position in India’s vibrant travel sector.”

Radisson Hotel Group accelerates India expansion with 2025 openings, including properties at Prayagraj, Delhi MG Road, Mount Abu, and Indore. With 10 hotels launched between January to August — more than 50% in tier II and III markets — Nikhil Sharma, MD and CEO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “India is one of our most dynamic growth engines globally, and 2025 reflects rising travel aspirations.”

After launching three ATR 72-600s, FLY91 will soon add a fourth aircraft. Manoj Chacko, CEO & MD, FLY91, said, “We are steadily growing capacity while maintaining our regional focus. Each induction is planned with measured growth in mind.” The company currently operates 14 daily flights under the RCS-UDAN scheme.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Government of India, said, “Tourism is the most vibrant industry and has a great future ahead.” Highlighting sustainability as a key challenge, Shekhawat added, “We have started assessing hotels and tourist destinations on the five-leaf rating, motivating the sector to adopt more sustainable practices nationwide.”

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced a significant reduction in rental tariffs for its stadia, cutting rates by 20% to 50% for both sporting and non-sporting events. Following extensive meetings and presentations by stakeholders from the events and live entertainment industry on 2nd September 2025, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Delhi Tourism Minister Shri Kapil Mishra, and Sports Secretary Shri Hari Ranjan Rao have committed to providing robust support to the events industry. In continuation of this initiative, the Chairman of the SAI Governing Body has announced a new schedule of rates and usage norms, effective immediately. This move is part of the government’s efforts to transform Delhi into a global hub for live events, enhancing the city’s infrastructure and support for the events industry. This new framework supersedes all previous circulars and notifications, aiming to streamline the booking process and ensure fair and transparent access to SAI facilities nationwide. The revisions reflect current usage patterns, demand, and operational costs. Notably, there has been a significant decline in the demand for passes across various categories, dropping from 5% to just 1%. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) believes these adjustments will enhance facility accessibility, ensure efficient utilization, and provide fair pricing for all event organizers. “By simplifying processes and reducing costs, we aim to create a vibrant cultural scene that benefits both artists and audiences. This initiative will not only boost tourism but also create numerous employment opportunities. We invite organisers to bring more events and live concerts to the city, supporting the ‘Concert Economy’ vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” stated Shri Kapil Mishra, Delhi Tourism Minister. He also added that a …