As per HVS Anarock’s recent report, the nationwide ARR of hotels has seen a growth of 10 to 12% while the ARRs remained in the range of ₹9,100 to ₹9,300. This growth in ARRs reflected positively on the RevPARs of hotels resulting in a growth of 15 to 17%. The RevPAR of hotels crossed the ₹6,000 threshold whereas the RevPAR of hotels in January 2025 was in the range of ₹6006 and ₹6,324.

By 2026, any hotel that hopes to attract travellers from the EU or to do business with EU-based tour operators and OTAs such as Bookings.com or Agoda, has to obtain recognised sustainability certifications. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President, THA, said, “By 2026, the GSTC will ban non-sustainable tourism businesses. Online platforms will only feature certified hotels.”

Karnataka is set to boost tourism by introducing sea planes to key destinations like Hampi and KRS. Highlighting their commitment, HK Patil, Tourism Minister, Karnataka, said that the government also plans a multi-lingual website and 3D virtual tours of heritage sites, making the state’s cultural and historical landmarks more accessible to tourists worldwide.

Outbound travel from India remained strong, with visa application volumes increasing by 11% Year over Year in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 4%. This increase indicates a recovery and a rise in the number of Indian travellers visiting international destinations. Yummi Talwar, COO—South Asia, VFS Global, said, “India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and it’s clear that this robust momentum will persist in 2025.”

Israel Tourism Ministry invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on 4 March at 12 pm to gain insights and updates on the destination. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the serene shores of the Dead Sea, experience the country’s exciting offerings. For more information or to register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The UK Government has launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration. The campaign encourages those travelling to the UK to check facts and stay safe. Visa application guidance is freely available on gov.uk, and via a new WhatsApp support line.

Highlighting the state’s potential as a leading hub for adventure sports, Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha revealed that the state government is laying the groundwork for the state’s tourism industry, aiming to make it a premier destination for adventure and exploration over the next 50 years. “We are committed to developing these sites, not just for today, but for future generations,” she said.

Inaugurating the second edition of Karnataka International Travel Expo 2025 in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka unveiled the Tourism Policy 2025-2029 and said, “With a budget of ₹1,350 crore, the state tourism policy will help in attracting around ₹8,000 crore as direct investment and generate employment opportunities to 1.5 lakh people in next four years.”

Turtle Down Under, in collaboration with Tourism Whitsundays and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, is conducting a webinar today at 3 pm IST on ‘Romantic Australia: The Honeymoon Guide’ to unveil top-selling honeymoon destinations and give away Amazon vouchers for the top questions in their QnA session. Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Exploring the beautiful scenery of Thailand with Vietjet Thailand’s ‘Pay Day Hot Deals’ promotion, with fares starting from ₹8,900 (inclusive of taxes and fees) on daily direct flights between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), domestic connecting flights to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi (via Bangkok, with check-through baggage service)—and the airline’s connecting international routes—Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei (via Bangkok, with a convenient stopover and check-through baggage service). Book from 25 – 28 February for travel between 1 April – 25 October (excluding public holidays; terms and conditions apply) at www.vietjetair.com. The special promotional tickets are applied to Vietjet Thailand’s daily direct flight services between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi). Additionally, passengers can conveniently book domestic connecting flights from Mumbai to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi—via Bangkok with a seamless check-through baggage service. The airline also offers international connecting flights from Mumbai to Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei via Bangkok, ensuring a smooth stopover with check-through baggage service. The promotional fares are also available on all other distribution channels, including www.vietjetair.com, mobile app “Vietjet Air”, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/VietJetThailand by clicking the “Booking” tab, as well as travel agencies and booking offices. Payment can be easily made with international debit/ credit cards. Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, offers a captivating mix of tradition and modernity. Visitors can marvel at iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun while immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere of markets such as Chatuchak, night markets, and floating markets. Renowned for its world-class street food, including Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, the city also boasts exciting …