Speaking at the 55th FHRAI Annual Convention V Vidyavathi, Secretary Tourism, Government of India, called for a stronger public-private partnership as government gears up for its Tourism Business Plan. “To attract global tourists with the right kind of experiences, we need to focus on country-specific strategy. There cannot be one-size-fits-all strategy for tourist coming to India from different parts of the world with different expectations. We also need to see how we can create attractive packages for lesser-known destinations.”

Anil Parashar, Executive Director, ITQ Technologies, was honoured with the DDP Game Changer Award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Calling it a responsibility more than an award, he emphasised collective action. “We must contribute to building the tourism sector that needs support, and unite to make India a top destination.”

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and DG, Ministry of Tourism, flagged a decade-long decline in leisure arrivals from key markets, such as the UK, US, and Canada. While Europe and the Americas show worrying trends, growth is emerging from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. He stressed rebuilding traditional markets alongside newer opportunities.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the world’s most trusted benchmark for sustainable tourism, has finally arrived in India, offering hotels a locally accessible and cost-effective pathway to global recognition. This landmark move, enabled by a strategic partnership between United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), a pioneering GSTC-accredited body, and QualStar, India’s leading hotel certification expert, eliminates the need for expensive international audits, making it easier for Indian hotels to align with global sustainability standards. A New Era for Indian Hospitality: The Need for GSTC Certification The Indian hospitality industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, but with this expansion comes increased scrutiny from global travelers, corporations, and governments who are demanding verifiable sustainability. Until now, obtaining GSTC certification required inviting auditors from overseas, a process fraught with high costs and logistical challenges. This made certification an expensive proposition, limiting adoption to just a handful of properties. The new UCSL–QualStar partnership addresses this critical barrier. By combining UCSL’s international accreditation with QualStar’s deep local expertise and established network of trained auditors, hotels can now achieve the same rigorous, globally-recognized certification at a fraction of the cost. This local accessibility is crucial for an industry facing a shortage of over 300,000 hotel rooms and rapidly expanding its footprint. The Gold Standard of Sustainable Tourism GSTC was established through a United Nations-led initiative to create a unified, global standard for sustainable tourism. This means a hotel certified in India is held to the exact same rigorous parameters as one in Singapore, Turkey, or the United States. This consistency provides unparalleled credibility with global travelers, tour operators, and corporate clients who are increasingly prioritizing ethical and sustainable choices. The certification covers four key pillars of sustainable …

Design Dreams Digitally with this exclusive webinar on how to customise and sell Washington DC holiday packages on Red Planner’s smart B2B booking platform today at 3pm. Participate in the ‘Innovative Washington DC Itinerary making’ contest and win prize vouchers up to INR 5,000 and get an e-certification of attendance. For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.  

Speaking at the 5th RDTM inaugural in Jaipur, Diya Kumari, Deputy CM, Rajasthan said, “Tourism is not just a sector, it is an engine of livelihood, culture and pride.” She highlighted that Rajasthan received 18 crore domestic and 1.8 million foreign visitors, with international arrivals up 22% in 2024.

Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Select Group, has joined the Gallery of Legends at the India Travel Awards 2025. Speaking the event, Sharma said, “This is amongst the finest recognition of perseverance and decades of contribution.” Calling the honour close to his heart, he stressed, “India must now pivot strongly towards inbound tourism.”

The Travel MICE and Corporate Show, organised by DDP, marked a proud milestone for the industry by successfully hosting its first fully certified Green Meeting. Held from 2–3 August 2025 at Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai, the event was delivered in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group and GRT Hotels & Resorts. The certification, endorsed by Vikram Cotah, CEO of GRT Hotels & Resorts, and Subhashish Gupta, Senior General Manager at Radisson Blu, highlights the commitment of the organisers to sustainability in business events. For DDP and the Travel MICE and Corporate Show, this achievement sets a new benchmark and reinforces the growing momentum towards greener, more responsible tourism gatherings in India.

Design Dreams Digitally with this exclusive webinar on how to customise and sell Washington DC holiday packages on Red Planner’s smart B2B booking platform on 17 September 2025 at 3pm. Participate in the ‘Innovative Washington DC Itinerary Making’ contest and win prize vouchers up to `5,000 and get an e-certification of attendance. For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

Manchester United, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs with over 1.1 billion global fans and a proud history spanning 147 years, has officially appointed Gainwell Sports as an Official Hospitality Reseller. Through this milestone partnership, Gainwell Sports will deliver official match ticket + hospitality packages for all Manchester United home games at Old Trafford, the legendary “Theatre of Dreams” with a seating capacity of over 74,000 fans. These packages combine guaranteed match tickets with exclusive hospitality, offering fans unforgettable experiences at one of the most celebrated football arenas in the world. Manoj Saraf, Captain – Gainwell Sports, said, “For over three decades, Gainwell has been synonymous with trust, innovation, and unforgettable travel experiences. Partnering with Manchester United, a club that embodies passion and legacy, takes our journey to an extraordinary level.” Maanav Saraf, Vice-Captain – Gainwell Sports, added, “This partnership is not just about football; it’s about creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for millions of United fans and our travel trade partners. We are proud to bring Old Trafford’s magic closer to India and beyond.” With Manchester United’s immense global reach and Gainwell Sports’ expertise in sports travel, MICE groups, and premium hospitality, this collaboration positions Gainwell Sports as a leading force in official sports hospitality across Asia and worldwide. The partnership will help Gainwell Sports connect with corporates, travel companies, and millions of Manchester United fans, providing them secure, official, and world-class access to Premier League matchdays. Looking ahead, Gainwell Sports will soon launch official Manchester United hospitality packages for all home games this season directly on its website. Corporates and travel trade partners seeking to book official Premier League hospitality packages can connect with the Gainwell Sports team …