In India, more than 4 out of 5 (83%) of travellers believe airports are adopting AI and technology at the right pace 88% of Indian travellers spend more due to automation, significantly higher than the global (60%) and Asia Pacific (68%) average 61% of travellers in India say new airport technology has reduced stress, and 46% say tech has made their journey more seamless While airport technology evolves, genuine service, trust and human connection remain key Airports are rapidly evolving into technology-driven hubs, reshaping the travel experience and unlocking significant commercial potential. Priority Pass, the world’s leading airport lounge and experiences programme and part of The Collinson Group, has released new global research surveying over 12,000 travellers – including from key markets across Asia Pacific (APAC) such as India, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand – to highlight how digital innovation is transforming traveller behaviour, spending and engagement at airports worldwide. The global airport automation market size is projected to surge from USD 55.05bn in 2025 to USD 85.12bn by 2031, fuelled by rising passenger expectations and investment in digital infrastructure. From biometric ID and real-time passenger updates to fully automated check-in and bag drop, the report finds smart technologies are directly influencing traveller choices and spend. Amongst Indian travellers, 82% identified fast-track security and 85% cited digital boarding passes as the most impactful technologies, while automated baggage drops and advanced scanners are both highly valued by 80% of respondents. Additionally, 88% expressed comfort in sharing biometric data to help expedite their journey. 88% of Indian travellers – particularly Gen Z (91%) and Millennials (93%) – report increased spending at airports due to automation, significantly higher …

In a landmark moment for India’s travel and tourism sector, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism, officially launched the debut book by Vineet Gopal — ‘Indian Outbound Tourism 2030: Why India Matters?’ — at a special ceremony held in New Delhi. The book, subtitled ‘The Rise, Reach and Reign of the Global Indian Traveller,’ explores the transformative journey of India’s outbound travel market and the unprecedented global impact of the Indian traveller. Vineet Gopal, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, remarked at the launch, “This moment marks a milestone in my journey through the dynamic world of Indian travel. This book is more than just insights — it is a tribute to the unstoppable spirit of Indian travellers shaping global tourism like never before.” The book provides a comprehensive roadmap for global tourism boards, luxury brands, policymakers, and travel professionals to understand the behavioural shifts, economic significance, and experiential aspirations of Indian outbound travellers. It includes detailed analyses on generational trends, digital booking patterns, MICE and wedding travel, luxury consumerism, visa policy impacts, and India’s growing role in tourism diplomacy. From destinations like Dubai and Paris to emerging favourites like Japan, Georgia, and Portugal, the book decodes how Indian tourists are influencing global travel decisions and redefining luxury and leisure norms. With forecasts projecting Indian outbound travel to exceed USD 90 billion by 2030, the narrative positions India as a tourism superpower in the making.  

Oman Air’s membership into one of the leading global alliances will increase international awareness and inbound tourism potential for Oman, while offering guests access to a full suite of oneworld benefits across the network of more than 900 global destinations. Oman Air has officially joined the oneworld® alliance as its 15th member airline, creating significant new benefits for its guests and elevating Oman’s position on the global map. After a more than two-year integration journey, Oman Air now enters oneworld’s worldwide network of leading airlines, offering seamless travel to over 900 destinations in 170 countries and territories. As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air’s top tier guests will gain access to all oneworld priority benefits including a network of nearly 700 Business lounges globally, as well as newly opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon Airports. Likewise, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with a full suite of oneworld benefits including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access. Bringing the world closer to Oman, Oman Air’s entry into the alliance significantly enhances global access to the Sultanate. Through seamless connectivity across the airline’s 15 worldclass member airlines, travellers from key markets like the United States, Japan and Australia, can now enjoy smoother, more convenient journeys to Oman. “Oman Air is honoured to be joining the oneworld alliance, whose members and global footprint represent the best of what international travellers want to experience,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO, Oman Air. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome oneworld customers to the Sultanate of Oman to experience our unique culture, stunning mountain excursions, beautiful beaches, and, above …

The 3-day OTOAI convention scheduled for 10 to 13 July in Moscow is just 10 days away!

Goa is set to welcome more tourists from Kazakhstan, as charter operators show strong interest in expanding seasonal flights. During recent B2B meetings in Almaty, Goa Tourism’s sustainable travel offerings and its new campaign, #GlowOnArrival, sparked interest among Kazakh tour operators, opening up fresh business opportunities.

Puducherry is targeting around 30 lakh tourist arrivals by 2030, said K Lakshminarayanan, Tourism Minister. Currently, the Union Territory sees 19 lakh domestic and 1 lakh international tourists annually. The govemment plans to boost infrastructure and promotions to further position Puducherry as a key tourism destination in South India.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, is organising an exclusive webinar for the Indian trade on 2 July at 3 pm. Speakers from Oman Air, JW Marriott Muscat and Zahara Tours will highlight the latest offerings. Register and attend for a chance to win exciting prizes. For details, contact jaspreetkaur@ddppl.com.

FHRAI has announced revised dates for its 55 Annual Convention, now scheduled from 18-20 September at Conrad Bengaluru, instead of the earlier 12-14 September. The event will bring together over 1,000 industry leaders to chart the future of Indian hospitality through innovation, sustainability and collaboration.

MoU Signed Between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to Promote Tourism Successful Conclusion of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board’s Roadshow in Lucknow Stakeholders from Tourism Businesses, Tour Operators, and the Hotel Industry Participated Dharmendra Lodhi, Tourism Minister and Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Tourism Highlight the State’s Tourism Strengths With the objective of fostering cooperation and partnerships among tourism businesses, tour operators, travel agents, and hotel industry stakeholders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board successfully organised a roadshow at Hotel Taj Mahal in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 25. The event was held in the context of preparations for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart and the Regional Tourism Conclave. The roadshow was graced by Rajendra Shukla, Deputy Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh as the chief guest, with the distinguished presence of Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Uttar Pradesh. Pankaj Tripathi, Renowned actor, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, along with Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, lent further prestige to the event. On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to promote tourism, with a special focus on the research and development of Shri Ram Path Gaman, Shri Krishna Pathey, and the Buddhist Circuit. Rajendra Shukla, Deputy Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh remarked that when a region witnesses an industrial revolution, a green revolution, and a tourism revolution, its development gains unprecedented momentum. Such regions create …

Turtle Down Under in collaboration with Tourism Australia will conduct a webinar today at 12pm, highlighting the different experiences that visitors can indulge in when travelling to Australia. It will include exclusive destination presentations from tourism board members. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.