The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Expedia Group, one of the world’s leading online travel agencies, have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership, formalised at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025.   This multi-year agreement, signed by HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi and Jennifer Andre, VP of Business Development, Expedia Group Advertising, will  implement targeted consumer advertising campaigns and initiatives across 15 key source markets across Expedia Group brand sites and apps, including Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com. The partnership aims to significantly boost awareness and inspire global traveller interest in Abu Dhabi’s diverse and unique tourism offerings.   Building on the success of the Sunshine Pass campaign launched by DCT Abu Dhabi and Expedia earlier this year at Arabian Travel Market, this expanded collaboration will intensify promotional efforts, and further position Abu Dhabi as a premier year-round destination, encouraging deeper exploration of its rich cultural heritage, activities, and attractions.   HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Strategic partnerships with global travel leaders like Expedia Group are fundamental to our long-term vision for sustained tourism growth across diverse markets. This expanded collaboration will significantly strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global promotion, highlighting our unique cultural and tourism attractions. We are committed to showcasing Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a year-round destination, creating lasting value for our tourism sector and welcoming every type of visitor.”   By ensuring prominent visibility across Expedia Group’s expansive network of brands, this partnership will maximise Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a vibrant, world-class destination for holidaymakers.   Planned initiatives will strategically target visitors for the upcoming winter …

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said the inconsistent GST application across hotel categories is creating confusion and operational inefficiencies for travel agents. “Frequent clarification requests and invoice disputes waste time, while agents often absorb losses to retain clients. A uniform, clearly defined GST framework would ensure transparency, fairness, and ease in pricing,” he emphasised.

Leading Experience India 2025 by Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) concluded at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. Deepak Arora, Director, LHW – India, said that a record number of meetings were held with 25 luxury travel providers from India participating and interacting with 27 luxury hotels from across the world. The finely curated group not only indulged in B2B meetings but also networked over outdoor activities and themed lunches and dinners over 3 days.

World Travel Market has announced its newest addition to the global portfolio. WTM Spotlight Delhi, set to debut in February 2027, promises to bring the travel industry closer to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, offering unmatched opportunities to connect, collaborate, and innovate. The event aims to create a dynamic meeting ground for travel professionals, tourism boards, hospitality leaders, and destination marketers to explore business potential across India and the wider region.

In a major relief for travellers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed new rules allowing passengers to cancel or modify flight tickets without penalty within 48 hours of booking. Airlines must also issue refunds within 21 working days, even for tickets booked via agents, the policy draft mentions, inviting public feedback until 30 November.

SpiceJet is pleased to announce the appointment of Sanjay Kumar as Executive Director, effective November 3, 2025. In his new role, Kumar will lead the airline’s strategic initiatives focused on expansion, operational excellence, and business transformation as SpiceJet embarks on its next phase of growth. He will report directly to the Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh. Sanjay Kumar brings with him over three decades of rich experience in the aviation sector, with extensive expertise across network planning, revenue management, marketing, and commercial strategy. Having served in senior leadership positions in leading Indian airlines, Kumar has been instrumental in shaping the low-cost aviation landscape in India. For close to 12 years, Kumar served as Chief Commercial Officer at IndiGo and for a little over three years as its Chief Strategy & Revenue Officer. He has also held key leadership positions, including President & CEO at InterGlobe Technology Quotient and Chief Operating Officer at AirAsia India, among others. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sanjay back to the SpiceJet family. His deep understanding of the aviation business and proven leadership will be invaluable as we chart a new course for SpiceJet. With his strategic insights and executional strength, we are confident of accelerating our growth journey and strengthening our position as a leading and customer-centric airline.” Speaking on his new role, Sanjay Kumar said, “I am excited to re-join SpiceJet at a pivotal time in its journey. The Indian aviation market offers tremendous opportunities, and I look forward to working with the team to drive SpiceJet’s expansion, enhance operational efficiencies, and deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders.” Kumar’s appointment underscores SpiceJet’s …

Holiday Moods Adventures Pvt Ltd was shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Tour Operator category at the Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) Awards 2025 last month in September aboard the Dixie Queen on the River Thames in London. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards pioneering expedition cruising for the Indian travel market. The ECN Awards celebrate excellence in promoting and selling expedition cruise travel globally, bringing together outstanding tour operators, travel agencies, and industry leaders.  Championing Expedition Cruising in India Holiday Moods Adventures has rapidly emerged as a specialist in Arctic, Nordic, and Polar travel, introducing the Indian travel trade to immersive expedition cruise experiences. Since 2022, the company has built strategic partnerships with leading cruise brands, promoted sustainable expedition travel, and invested in education and awareness-building across the country. The company has: Launched dedicated expedition cruise products featuring the Arctic and Antarctica. Holiday Moods Adventures has witnessed significant growth in expedition cruise sales. Since launching Havila Voyages, Norway’s Responsible Luxury Coastal Cruise as their distributor in India, and then adding Swan Hellenic Expedition Cruises in early, our expedition cruise portfolio has rapidly gained traction among B2B partners Regularly organises B2B roadshows, webinars, and trade training programs across India Achieved 180% year-on-year growth, with expedition cruises now contributing 30%+ of total revenue Developed curated pre- and post-cruise land programs in Nordic regions for enriched travel experiences. Speaking on the recognition, Tejbir Singh Anand, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventures, said: “Being shortlisted among the best in the global expedition cruise community is a moment of great pride for us and for the Indian travel industry. Expedition cruising is …

Ruhani Duggal, Founder & Lead Curator, Vilasa Luxury Travel, speaking at the TravTalk ThinkTank in New Delhi recently, said, “We have to understand that a country’s product offerings and perception go hand-in-hand. Once travel designers abroad start seeing nex-gen products come out of India, the perception also changes. Marketing alone is not enough to shift perception.”

Oman Convention Bureau is positioning the Sultanate as India’s most convenient short-haul MICE destination in 2025. “India’s corporates increasingly prefer short flights for incentives and conferences — Oman offers easy access with just 2–3 hours of travel,” said Khalid Al Zadjali, Director, Oman Convention Bureau. With direct flights from 11 Indian cities, Oman combines proximity, premium infrastructure, and cultural appeal for quick-turnaround MICE events.

Average Room Rates (ARRs) across key Indian markets continued upward climb in September 2025, with Bengaluru posting the highest year-on-year growth of 25–27%, followed by Hyderabad at 21–23%, according to HVS ANAROCK research. Goa was the only market to register a decline. National occupancy improved marginally, led by Ahmedabad’s strong 10–12 percentage point rise.