Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, TAT, officially launched the ASEAN + India Shoppers campaign in Thailand. Aligned with the government’s 5 Must-Do Experiences, this campaign aims to strengthen the country’s reputation as a premier shopping and cultural tourism destination, targeting tourists from ASEAN countries and India with exclusive offers and immersive experiences.

HRAWI is gearing up to host its flagship ‘Empowering Hospitality’ conclave and awards ceremony in Nashik on 28 February. The event aims to promote industry collaboration and recognise hospitality leaders for their contributions to the sector. “The conclave is aimed at promoting knowledge-sharing and equipping professionals with tools to navigate today’s dynamic market,” said Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board signed an MoU with VReal, a Finland-based leader in immersive virtual reality, to showcase the state’s cultural heritage through cutting-edge technology. The MoU was signed by Mohan Yadav, CM, MP and Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finland’s Ambassador to India. The move is expected to promote the state’s tourism sites and heritage on a global scale, increasing international tourist visits.

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines. Once in Switzerland, travellers can enjoy holidays booked by their travel agent through TourFox, a B2B supplier owned by SWISS. Attend all webinars to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Expressing his hope on revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) to increase foreign footfall in India, Subhash Goyal, Founder & Chairman, STIC Travel & Air Charter Group, said, “The government should reopen Indian Tourism offices abroad and increase the publicity budget to promote foreign tourism in India otherwise it will depend only on digital platforms.”

Horwath HTL report showed that despite economic challenges and the absence of major events, the hospitality sector saw strong growth, with a national occupancy rate of 63.9%, an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of INR7,951, and a 10.7% RevPAR increase. India added 14,400 chain-affiliated rooms, pushing the total supply past 200,00.

To tap the tea tourism potential of the state, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, said that the state government is moving forward with plans to study the tea tourism model of West Bengal and frame a policy — which the stakeholders see as having a great potential to revitalise the tea industry.

Kerala allocated ₹80 crore for national and global promotion in the state budget FY2025-26. It will continue to focus on its traditional international markets: Europe, North America and South America. “We recently saw a rise in arrivals from Australia so we will focus on it along with the ones witnessing dip,” said Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism.

Six Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities. Jeff Smith, Vice President of Sustainability, Six Senses shares, “GSTC Certification is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses properties included in this certification and their sustainability teams, who work proactively to provide uncompromising hospitality, environmentally cognizant operations, an outstanding guest experience, and high levels of engagement among colleagues and the local community.” The GSTC Certification is a respected seal of sustainable travel and tourism, offering an antidote to “greenwashing” in the hospitality industry. The extensive certification criteria aim to give credibility to sustainability claims, ensuring they are both measurable and can be upheld through meaningful action. Certification is based on third-party audits of hotels and corporate processes by accredited auditors, and is granted for a period of three years, providing a continuous commitment to improvement and accountability. Six Senses Vana, a pioneering wellness retreat nestled in the Himalayan foothills, has made significant contributions to achieving this prestigious certification, embracing sustainability as a core value since its inception. The GSTC certification further validates Six Senses Vana’s efforts to minimize environmental footprint, preserve cultural heritage, and cultivate meaningful connections with the local community, thereby marking a proud moment in its long-standing sustainability journey. Jaspreet Singh, General Manager, Six Senses Vana, added, “The recent GSTC certification is a testament …

Celebrating its 75 years of leadership in hospitality, Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI, said, “We are set to roll out special initiatives and commemorative events throughout the year to elevate the hospitality sector. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our dedication to promoting growth, advocating for progressive policies, driving sustainability and strengthening India’s position as a global tourism hub.”