As heritage destinations increasingly position themselves as investment-ready tourism hubs, Varanasi is emerging as a key focal point. The upcoming IIA International Tourism & Hospitality Expo aims to align the city’s spiritual legacy with contemporary tourism, infrastructure and economic opportunities. The Indian Industries Association (IIA) International Tourism & Hospitality Expo is scheduled to take place from 18–19 December 2025 at Hotel Taj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, bringing together global investors, diplomats, business leaders and cultural stakeholders from across India’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem. The Expo is supported by key partners including Invest UP, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Incredible India, IRCTC and Banaras Hindu University. The two-day event focuses on showcasing the cultural and spiritual heritage of Varanasi, with particular emphasis on the Buddhist Circuit and Jain Circuit. The programme includes high-level conferences, panel discussions, exhibitions, B2B networking sessions and curated site visits, designed to highlight both the region’s investment potential and its cultural depth. A dedicated platform will also be provided for Indian artisans under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, aimed at creating global linkages for traditional crafts and promoting local livelihoods through tourism-led demand. The Expo seeks to position Varanasi not only as a timeless spiritual destination but also as a modern hub for tourism-driven economic growth. Its objectives include facilitating concrete investment agreements, boosting international tourist arrivals and strengthening cultural and economic ties with global markets. In 2024, Varanasi emerged as India’s top tourism destination, recording 11 crore visitors, with growth largely driven by spiritual and cultural tourism. Alongside exhibitions, the Expo will feature conferences and interactive sessions highlighting emerging trends, technology adoption and best practices shaping the future of hospitality and tourism in heritage destinations.

Moustache Group of Hotels launches its first property in the Northeast with a backpacker hostel in Gangtok, signalling deeper expansion into emerging youth-travel markets across India. As domestic travel patterns continue to shift toward experience-led and community-driven stays, hostel brands are increasingly targeting destinations beyond traditional circuits. Moustache Group of Hotels’ entry into the Northeast with its Gangtok hostel reflects this trend, aligning youth travel demand with regions gaining improved connectivity and rising national and international attention. The Gangtok launch marks the brand’s debut in Sikkim and the wider Northeast, a region that is witnessing growing interest from backpackers, solo travellers and young experiential tourists. Gangtok opens the Northeast chapter With the new opening, Moustache Group confirms plans to add more than 40 hostels by FY 2028, expanding its hostel portfolio from the current 18 properties. The upcoming hostels will be spread across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, strengthening the brand’s pan-India footprint. The Northeast has emerged as a key growth market, supported by rising tourist arrivals and improved air connectivity. Industry data indicates strong growth in both domestic and international visitation, reinforcing the region’s potential for scalable hostel-led development. Founders outline regional expansion strategy Abhishek Khandelwal, Founder and Director, Moustache Group of Hotels, says Gangtok offers the right mix of culture, community and adventure to anchor the brand’s Northeast presence. He adds that the destination’s strong domestic footfall and evolving traveller profile make it a natural fit for the Moustache hostel concept. Deepak Agarwal, Founder and Director, highlights that the Northeast is central to the group’s long-term roadmap. He notes that destinations including Shillong, Cherrapunji, Pelling, Yuksom, Tawang, Dimapur and Ziro are under evaluation, driven by …

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and HICC add Sashtra Wellness Spa to their lifestyle offerings, strengthening the property’s focus on wellness-led experiences for corporate and long-stay guests. As business hotels increasingly integrate wellness into their core guest proposition, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) introduce Sashtra Wellness Spa as a premium third-party wellness partner within the property. The move aligns with growing demand from corporate travellers for accessible relaxation and recovery alongside meetings and events. Sashtra Wellness Spa operates within the hotel premises and offers a range of therapeutic and beauty services designed to support guests with busy schedules. The spa remains open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, allowing flexibility for conference delegates, business travellers and long-stay guests. The facility provides massages, facials, body therapies, grooming services and a dedicated Nail Bar for express and luxury manicures and pedicures. The addition enhances NHCC and HICC’s lifestyle portfolio as the property continues to host large-scale conferences, exhibitions and corporate events. Rubin Cherian, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & HICC, says the partnership reflects the hotel’s focus on holistic guest experiences, enabling travellers to balance productivity with relaxation during their stay. Masrath Fatima, Director, Sashtra Wellness, says the brand follows an eco-conscious philosophy, using sustainable and nature-friendly products while promoting holistic well-being. She adds that environmental responsibility remains central to Sashtra’s approach as the brand expands its presence within hospitality spaces. With the addition of Sashtra Wellness Spa, NHCC and HICC continue to strengthen their positioning as a leading business and events destination, blending large-format MICE infrastructure with lifestyle and wellness offerings tailored to evolving traveller expectations.

The airline continues to face operational challenges arising from new pilot-duty norms, with cancellations, refunds and regulatory action still underway. IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, is currently navigating one of its most significant operational disruptions, with widespread cancellations and delays reported across major airports. The situation has unfolded following the implementation of revised crew-duty regulations, leading to staffing shortages and prompting regulatory intervention from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). As recovery efforts continue and investigations progress, further developments are expected in the coming days, keeping both passengers and the aviation industry on alert. What has happened so far IndiGo has been operating under a prolonged period of disruption over the past week, following difficulties in adjusting to recently enforced pilot duty-time regulations. The changes have limited crew availability across several routes, prompting widespread cancellations and delays. Network impact at major airports Large portions of the airline’s domestic network experienced schedule interruptions, with airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad reporting cancellation peaks, congested terminals and extended wait times for passengers. The situation coincided with the peak winter travel season, impacting both leisure and business travellers as well as tourism movement in several domestic destinations. Regulatory scrutiny on airline preparedness The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo, seeking an explanation on crew deployment, scheduling decisions and contingency arrangements. IndiGo has requested additional time to respond, while continuing to make adjustments to restore normal operations. Refunds and passenger assistance Refunds for cancelled flights have been initiated automatically, with the airline advising passengers to check flight status before travel. Network restoration remains gradual, and further disruptions are expected until operational capacity is fully …

At the FHRAI–HRANI Summit 2025, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announces major reforms to streamline licensing for hospitality businesses, including third-party fire audits and a forthcoming single-window system for approvals. Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta has announced that hotels and restaurants in the National Capital Territory will soon be permitted to obtain fire licences through third-party audits, marking a significant shift toward ease of doing business for hospitality operators. The reform is part of a wider plan to introduce a single-window licensing mechanism covering approvals from MCD, DDA and the Delhi Government. The decision follows a fire review meeting where the new administration identified a backlog of pending fire-licence cases. The Chief Minister says these legacy issues are now being prioritised and resolved. At the Summit 2025 – Viksit Delhi, Viksit Tourism & Hospitality, jointly organised by FHRAI and HRANI, the Chief Minister also advised hotels and restaurants to install mist-fogging systems to help reduce local pollution levels and lower water consumption. Fogging operations have already begun at select locations and will expand across the city. FHRAI President Surendra Kumar Jaiswal presented the industry’s sustainable alternative to anti-smog guns — a dry-fog technology that reduces water use by nearly 90% while improving air purification. He welcomed the government’s policy direction, noting that the scrapping of mandatory “Eating House Licences” and police clearance earlier this year, along with new reforms, demonstrates a serious commitment to reducing industry bottlenecks. The Chief Minister also emphasised Delhi’s ambition to position itself as a hub for events, conferences and tourism, stating that the government is focused on improving the capital’s image after years of stalled policy progression. She added that Diwali’s recent inscription on …

UNESCO officially adds Deepavali to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, giving India’s globally celebrated festival renewed international recognition and cultural tourism visibility. Deepavali is now formally inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following adoption during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The announcement is made in the presence of delegates from 194 Member States, senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and representatives from UNESCO’s global network. Union Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat says the recognition is a moment of immense pride for India and for communities worldwide who continue to uphold the festival’s traditions. He highlights that Deepavali embodies the universal message “Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya” — a transition from darkness to light symbolising hope, renewal and harmony. The Minister underscores the people-centric nature of the festival, noting that Deepavali is sustained by a wide ecosystem of potters, artisans, farmers, sweet makers, priests and households who preserve its customs. He also commends the Indian diaspora for carrying Deepavali’s message across Southeast Asia, Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Caribbean, strengthening cultural bridges globally. Prepared by the Ministry of Culture and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nomination includes extensive consultations with practitioners, artisans, agrarian communities, diaspora groups, individuals with special needs, transgender communities, cultural organisations and tradition bearers. Their inputs highlight Deepavali’s inclusive character and its role in supporting livelihoods across crafts and traditional industries. UNESCO notes that Deepavali strengthens social cohesion, supports craftsmanship, reinforces community wellbeing and contributes to Sustainable Development Goals linked to livelihoods, gender equality and cultural education. The Ministry of Culture states that the inscription will …

Taiwan Tourism Administration completes a multi-city roadshow across Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune, strengthening trade partnerships as the destination targets accelerated growth from the Indian market. As outbound travellers look beyond traditional circuits, destinations across Asia are widening their India engagement to secure a stronger market presence. Taiwan’s latest three-city roadshow reflects this shift, underscoring its intent to build deeper trade relationships, expand market awareness and position the island as a compelling leisure and MICE destination for 2026 and beyond. Held from 19–21 November across Chennai, Bengaluru and — for the first time — Pune, the initiative forms part of TTA’s long-term strategy to grow visibility across high-potential gateway and emerging source markets. Trade turnout indicates rising interest More than 120 travel trade partners attend the roadshows, signalling strong curiosity and increasing readiness to include Taiwan in outbound portfolios. Sessions focus on product updates, destination training and partnership development, enabling agents to better understand Taiwan’s offering across culture, nature, culinary exploration and MICE infrastructure. Taiwan’s premier destination management companies, Apple Travel Services and Top Holidays, participate virtually, showcasing customised itineraries curated for the Indian market and highlighting their decades of expertise in designing culturally aligned travel experiences. Malaysia Airlines serves as the official airline partner across all three cities, amplifying connectivity options via Kuala Lumpur for travellers headed to Taiwan. TTA reinforces long-term commitment to India Paul Shih, Director – Singapore Office, Taiwan Tourism Administration, says: “TTA is committed to a long-term strategy of positioning Taiwan as a premier destination for high-end leisure and MICE travellers from India. The three-city roadshow not only marks the continuing strengthening of TTA’s partnership with the trade in these key gateway cities but also builds …

ITC Hotels Limited signs a 150-key EPIQ Collection property in Jaipur’s Bagru region, strengthening the brand’s national footprint and reinforcing its commitment to immersive, destination-led hospitality. As hotel companies continue to diversify their premium portfolios across culturally rich destinations, Jaipur remains a focal point for brands seeking strong domestic and international demand. ITC Hotels Limited’s signing of EPIQ Collection Jaipur, Bagru, reflects this trend, adding scale to its recently launched premium brand and expanding its presence in Rajasthan. Scheduled to open in 2030, the hotel strengthens the brand’s strategy of developing design-forward properties that draw from regional heritage while appealing to modern travellers. A design-led resort inspired by Rajasthan’s identity Set across 12 acres with access to Jaipur’s cultural and commercial districts, the upcoming property is envisioned as a tranquil resort that embodies the Epiq Collection philosophy of intuitive hospitality and regionally inspired architecture. The design direction draws from Rajasthan’s forts, palaces and artisanal traditions, positioning the hotel as a contemporary gateway to the state’s cultural richness. With its proximity to both Jaipur and Pushkar, the resort is expected to support leisure demand spread across heritage, wellness and experiential travel segments. Leadership perspective on the brand’s expansion Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, says, “Every journey meanders through destinations, and the most impactful ones leave a lasting impression. We look forward to sharing beautiful facets of Rajasthan’s story through Epiq Collection Jaipur, Bagru, in a way that feels contemporary yet deeply authentic. Jaipur has always held a special place in India’s travel landscape, where heritage, tourism and modern aspirations intersect in a powerful way. At the same time, the city’s evolving hospitality landscape presents a clear demand for thoughtfully …