Receiving the ‘Most Innovative Tourism Board’ award on behalf of the NTO at the India Travel Awards, Pooja Raut, Digital Lead, Brand Manager, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “It’s a significant boost for us to continue doing great work. STB has always been synonymous with innovation. We aim to push boundaries and introduce Singapore’s unique nature and culture to the Indians.”

Highlighting that India is an important market for Marriot, David Marriott, Chairman, Marriott International, said, “India is our fifth-largest market in the world. We have 17 brands among which JW Marriott has been a popular one in India. We have 10 hotels open and five are on the way. Due to growing opportunities, our focus is now on secondary and tertiary markets.”

Ryo Bunno, Executive Director, JNTO, Delhi, said, “In 2019, Indian visitors to Japan hit a record 176,000 before declining due to COVID-19. Numbers rebounded in 2022 and 2023, with 2024 expected to surpass 200,000. Beyond Japan’s popular Golden Route, travellers are urged to explore its diverse regions. The upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka underscores Japan’s efforts to enrich tourism, fostering deeper India-Japan ties.”

Join an exciting webinar today at 12 pm and delve into the wonders of Selangor, one of Malaysia’s hidden gems. Discover unique attractions, cultural landmarks, and leisure destinations that make Selangor a must-visit for every traveller. For more information, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91 9650196532.

Referring to the manpower shortage in the Indian hospitality sector at the FHRAI’s HR Summit, Pradeep Shetty, VP, FHRAI said that many skilled employees have exited the industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. “A workforce gap remains, with an estimated need for an additional 100,000–150,000 skilled workers annually,” he said, adding that with projections for India’s hospitality industry to nearly double by 2029, reaching an estimated value of $475.37 billion, we have tremendous growth potential.

To distribute the tourism load and reduce the pressure on already popular destinations while encouraging destination weddings in lesser-known regions, Mugdha Sinha, DG, MOT GoI, said, “We need to ensure that wedding tourism contributes positively to local communities and is aligned with environmental sustainability. By developing tier-II & III cities as wedding destinations, we can ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are more evenly distributed.”

Believing that more competition will make air travel cheaper, KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI, said that the govt wants more airlines in India and doesn’t want a duopoly situation. We are facilitating new airlines to come in even if they are looking to start with one or two aircraft and are ready to provide support and aid to them to start their business, he said.

Explore Abu Dhabi like never before through an exclusive webinar today at 3 pm, highlighting its luxury experiences, culinary adventures, and exceptional hospitality standards. The webinar promises to be a gateway to creating unforgettable memories in Abu Dhabi. For additional information, contact Jaspreet Kaur on +91 9650196532 or at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

Baywatch Travels and Baywatch Stayz won the Best Holiday Homes – South India award at the India Travel Awards. Manish Kriplani, Managing Director, Baywatch Travels and Baywatch Stayzz, said, “I am incredibly excited about our industry’s future and envision an amazing industry taking shape. We offer holiday homes to clients to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to get into a flight.”

Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director, Tourism Australia, leading a delegation of 15 CEOs from the Australian tourism industry to meet with senior travel trade officials in New Delhi and Mumbai, has said that India is the 5th largest inbound market for arrivals for the year ended August 2024, with total arrivals for the year ended August 2024 were 423,400.