The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), the premier association dedicated to uniting tourism and hospitality professionals across the state, successfully held its 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently. During the event, elections were conducted for the office bearers and the executive committee who will lead the society for the next two-year period. The newly elected team is committed to further strengthening the vision and projects that have marked KTS as a dynamic partner to both state and national government bodies, elevating Karnataka’s position as a leading tourism destination. K Syama Raju, President, stated, “It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I extend a heartfelt welcome to each one of you as the President of the Karnataka Tourism Society. In the dynamic realm of tourism and hospitality, we are united by a common passion for innovation, excellence, and the transformative power of our stakeholders here in Karnataka. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we embark on this exciting journey together.”

Discussing the plans ahead, Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours, said, “We are gearing up for 2026 and plan to open four offices pan-India.”

Udaipur will host a two-day national tourism conference, bringing together Tourism Ministers and officials from all States and Union Territories. Scheduled for 15–16 October and chaired by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, the event will focus on shaping India’s tourism policies and roadmap. Key discussions will include sustainable and digital tourism, alongside presentations on ongoing schemes from various state tourism departments. The conference aims to create a collaborative framework for enhancing India’s tourism ecosystem.

Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley has become India’s first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, a move that puts the trans-Himalayan landscape on the global conservation map. The decision was taken at the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, held in September. With this, India now has 13 sites in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, while congratulating the state forest department and its wildlife wings, said, “The state government is committed to protecting and conserving Himachal Pradesh’s rich natural and cultural heritage and fragile ecology in the era of climate change, while ensuring harmony between developmental activities and nature.”

Speaking at the launch of Centrum Air’s new flight, connecting Delhi and Tashkent from 3 October, Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, said that the improved air connectivity has already boosted tourism four-fold, from 20,000 Indian visitors to nearly 82,000 in one year, with expectations of even higher numbers this year. Aeroprime Group is Centrum Air’s exclusive GSA in India. Expressing optimism, Rustambaev said that new routes will further strengthen cooperation, tourism, and people-to-people contact. He stressed that these flights would benefit tourism, education, medical travel, and overall bilateral engagement.

APS Destinations bagged the Most Innovative Travel Planners award at the India Travel Award 2025. Receiving the trophy, Pratik Shah, Founder, APS Destinations, said, “This award is not about numbers or tickets, but about the trust and credibility built with clients. It means a lot to me.” Advising young professionals, he said that travel is beyond bookings, think out of the box and explore global opportunities.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi hosted a roundtable discussion to position the state-of-the-art facility as the capital’s premier cultural and tourist destination. The event was attended by Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, GoI, along with key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, highlighted that such initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing this establishment of national importance while delivering tremendous value to visitors. The discussion emphasised strengthening cultural tourism and enhancing visitor engagement, further establishing PMML as a must-visit landmark in Delhi.

At the 69th Annual General Meeting of FHRAI, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal was elected as the new President of the association. Outlining his vision for the tenure, he said, “The GST framework without ITC has created inequities that threaten our competitiveness. By restoring ITC, addressing copyright ambiguities, and granting Infrastructure and Industry status, the government can empower hospitality to support the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The World Tourism Day celebrations marked major strides for India’s tourism sector with the signing of MoUs with Netflix, Atithi Foundation, and leading Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). The Netflix partnership aims to promote Indian destinations through cinematic storytelling, with curated trailers and global outreach. MoUs with Atithi Foundation and OTAs seek to bolster strategic research, innovation, capacity building, and post-travel visitor feedback collection to enable data-driven policy decisions by States and Union Territories.

The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), a unique national institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the legacy of India’s Prime Ministers since Independence, celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with special initiatives to strengthen its position as Delhi’s premier cultural and tourist destination. PMML is one of its kind globally, housing a vast library of books, microfilms, extensive archives, a Centre for Contemporary Studies, and the Nehru Planetarium, which includes a dedicated gallery on astronomy and space. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya within PMML brings to life the journeys, vision, and contributions of India’s Prime Ministers. With daily Light & Sound Shows and a gallery on the Indian Constitution, it stands as a true “Temple of Democracy”, offering immense value for visitors of all ages. To mark the occasion, PMML hosted a roundtable discussion on “Positioning Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya as a Must-Visit Tourist Destination of Delhi,” in collaboration with the Director General of Tourism, Government of India, along with leaders of national tourist associations and tour operators. The session focused on collaborative strategies to boost cultural tourism and visitor engagement. Additionally, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Terrace Café at the Nehru Planetarium added a new dimension to the visitor experience, blending culture, cuisine, and comfort in a serene setting. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, emphasised that these initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing its national importance and delivering exceptional value to its visitors.