Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism & Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh unveiled the state’s Tourism Policy 2024-2029. He said, “Main objective is to attract investments worth ₹25,000 crore under PPP model. The policy offers opportunities across various sectors including temple, eco, village, wellness & agricultural tourism.”

Puneet Chhatwal, Chairman, CII National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality, and MD & CEO, IHCL, says, “Tourism is not just about economic value and job creation, but also about cultural diplomacy, fostering deeper global connections. India is at an inflection point, moving from ‘Incredible India’ to ‘Inevitable India.'”

During the 18th CII Annual Tourism Summit, Mugdha Sinha, DG, Ministry of Tourism, GoI, said that infrastructure is the scaffold that holds the tourism sector together. “But it is actually how we position ourselves. So, I think the framing of the idea of Incredible India as a tourism product needs to get better,” she added.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism, urges the tourism industry to create a document on reinstating the Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) in a new format. During Cll Tourism Summit he said, “I will discuss with the Finance Minister and PM on reinstating the incentive given on Forex earned by tour operators.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) celebrated a significant milestone with the arrival of this year’s 2,000,000th Indian tourist at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 16 December. This achievement underscores India’s vital role as a key source market for Thailand’s thriving tourism industry. The grand welcome ceremony was attended by Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports; H.E. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand; Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific; and executives from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Thai Airways International (THAI). 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠, Minister of Tourism and Sports remarked, “It is with immense pleasure that we welcome the 2,000,000th Indian tourist to Thailand this year. This milestone highlights the growing popularity of Thailand among Indian travellers.”

South Africa Tourism highlights its rich culture and natural beauty, educating the Indian travel trade on lesser-known regions of the country South African Tourism concluded the third leg of its 10th edition of the ‘Learn South Africa’ workshop in Kochi, following successful events in Chandigarh and Nagpur. This initiative aimed to engage key travel trade partners across India, particularly focusing on the growing interest from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Over 100 travel trade partners from Kochi participated in the event, offering beyond its well-known destinations like Cape Town and Johannesburg and helping them to gain insights into South Africa’s hidden gems such as Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal India remains one of the largest source markets for South Africa, with increasing interest from smaller cities like Kochi. Indian travellers are on the lookout for diverse experiences that range from thrilling adventures to rich cultural explorations. In response to this demand, the workshop equipped travel partners with the necessary knowledge and tools to create customised itineraries tailored for travellers in India. The objective of South African Tourism is to position the Rainbow Nation as a premier choice for leisure and MICE travel. Commenting on the event in Kochi, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, South African Tourism, said, “We have witnessed notable trends among Kochi travellers, such as a growing preference for experiential travel, wellness tourism, and adventure activities. Further, travellers from this region are rapidly emerging as a significant market for South African tourism, we have seen a notable increase in inquiries from local travellers seeking unique and offbeat experiences in H1 2024. Our collaboration with local trade partners has been exceptionally positive, reinforcing …

The Global Association of Events and Hospitality Professionals (GAEHP) officially launched in Delhi, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for the events and hospitality industry. This milestone event underscores GAEHP’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and education as key pillars for professional growth and industry advancement. What sets GAEHP apart is its emphasis on tourism education. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” At GAEHP, we believe that empowering professionals with knowledge and skills is the foundation for driving excellence and innovation in the events and hospitality industry. While many associations prioritise networking as their core focus, GAEHP goes a step further by offering practical training, mentorship opportunities, and expert-led workshops. By equipping professionals with essential skills and knowledge, the association aims to empower them to adapt to a rapidly evolving global market. The launch event features engaging panel discussions, networking sessions, and presentations that highlight GAEHP’s vision of creating a global platform dedicated to professional development and industry-wide collaboration. GAEHP warmly invites professionals across all sectors of events and hospitality to join this dynamic initiative and contribute to shaping the future of the industry.

Hoi, an innovative travel-tech platform revolutionising airport experiences for modern travellers, announced significant enhancements to its comprehensive airport services suite, setting new benchmarks in travel experience. The platform’s sophisticated integration with airport infrastructure systems enables unprecedented accuracy in real-time flight information delivery, transforming traditional airport processes into seamless digital experiences. Hoi has transformed the airport experience across major Indian airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, and New Goa (GOX) through its comprehensive platform. At the heart of Hoi’s innovation is its flagship ‘Time to Gate’ feature, which leverages advanced data analytics to guide travellers through optimal routes and shortest queues. Through direct integration with Airport Flight Status Display Systems and AODB, the platform delivers instant updates on flight statuses, gate changes, and scheduling modifications, ensuring travellers remain informed at every step of their journey. The platform’s 24/7 AI-powered Info Desk serves as a digital concierge, providing instant assistance for all airport-related queries, from baggage claims to facility updates. Hoi’s premium services suite includes VIP meet and greet assistance, priority check-in, porter services, and comprehensive lounge access across terminals, catering to diverse traveller preferences from business executives to families requiring specialised assistance. Commenting on the platform, Harshvardhan Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Hoi said, “The post-pandemic era has fundamentally transformed travel preferences, with passengers now demanding seamless digital experiences at airports. As India’s airports witness record passenger volumes and a growing preference for premium services, Hoi has evolved beyond flight information to become an integrated airport solution. Our platform unifies critical stakeholders – from airlines to retail partners – while delivering personalised services that modern travellers expect, from real-time navigation to premium concierge assistance. Through continuous innovation, we’re setting new benchmarks in how travellers experience airports, …

Marks over five decades of shaping goa’s tourism landscape Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, marks a momentous milestone as it completes 50 years of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa. IHCL, with a 16-hotel portfolio, two air catering units and 40+ homestays, continues its pioneering leadership in Goa’s tourism landscape. Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “Goa holds a special place in IHCL’s legacy. Beginning in 1974 with the launch of India’s first beach resort Taj Fort Aguada, this historic moment marked the dawn of luxury hospitality in Goa. Over the past 50 years, IHCL has been an integral part of Goa’s transformation into one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations. With the introduction of brands like Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger, and the homestay bungalows under amã Stays & Trails, IHCL offers experiences tailored to diverse traveller preferences.” He added, “Today, as Goa continues to develop its infrastructure, IHCL stays committed to realising the state’s tourism potential. This includes our continued investment be it the recently launched TajSATS air catering unit and the upcoming 300-key Ginger hotel at MOPA airport as well as the development of Aguada Plateau as a world-class tourism destination showcasing the state’s rich cultural legacy.” The journey began in 1974 with the opening of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, India’s first luxury beach resort, transforming Goa into a global tourism hotspot. Since then, IHCL has continued to unveil iconic properties like Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, the historic Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage designed by renowned architect Charles Correa and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dauna …

India is on the brink of a transformative tourism revolution, fuelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary focus on leveraging technology and data to elevate experiential travel. Leading this charge is Thrillophilia, a company that has long championed the integration of tech-driven travel experiences. CEO Chitra Gurnani Daga recently joined PM Modi to discuss how the fusion of innovation, artificial intelligence, and localised tourism can reshape India’s travel ecosystem, creating a more inclusive, personalised, and sustainable experience for travellers worldwide. India’s tourism industry is poised for a revolutionary transformation, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a future where technology, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) play central roles in shaping the country’s travel landscape. By empowering local communities, unlocking India’s hidden gems, and promoting sustainable tourism practices, PM Modi’s focus on tech-driven travel aligns perfectly with the mission of Thrillophilia, a leader in experiential travel. PM Modi’s Vision: A Digitalised Travel Ecosystem In his recent address, PM Modi emphasised the importance of harnessing technology to unlock the true potential of India’s tourism sector. His forward-thinking vision not only advocates for the use of AI and data to enhance personalised travel experiences but also highlights the need to promote India’s cultural heritage, rural tourism, and the vibrant traditions of its tribal communities. For Thrillophilia, these ideas resonate deeply with its mission to democratise travel, offering immersive, offbeat experiences that help showcase India’s rich, diverse cultural tapestry. Chitra Gurnani Daga, the CEO and co-founder of Thrillophilia, had the honour of discussing these priorities with PM Modi, emphasising how technology can enable a more streamlined, customised, and localised travel experience for both domestic and international tourists. One of the key points of discussion was …