Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

At GRT Hotels & Resorts, hospitality has always been more than a business it’s been a calling. A calling to care, to serve, to build something lasting. Today, that commitment to people-first values has been honoured on a national stage. GRT Hotels & Resorts has been recognised as “India’s Top 100 Companies to Work For 2025” by Great Place To Work® India, a coveted recognition that celebrates workplaces where people thrive, grow, and feel deeply valued. This honour is not just a milestone it’s a moment of gratitude. A tribute to every GRTian across India who turned ordinary workdays into extraordinary experiences. From chefs who serve memories on plates, to housekeepers who add love into linens, to the front office teams that greet guests not with scripts, but with soul this award belongs to them all. “This isn’t just an award. It’s a celebration of our people,” said Mr. Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts. “At GRT, we’ve always believed that great hospitality begins from within. When our employees feel heard, cared for, and empowered, they reflect that same joy and excellence to our guests. This recognition belongs to every single GRTian who brings heart, integrity, and brilliance to our organization every day.” Over the years, GRT Hotels & Resorts has cultivated a deeply inclusive, transparent, and trust-led culture. The brand’s commitment to employee well-being, learning, and recognition has become part of its DNA from wellness initiatives and career development to programs like “Employee of the Moment” that celebrate excellence in real time. Latha Raji Paul, Vice President – Human Assets, GRT Hotels & Resorts echoed the sentiment: “Being named India’s Top 100 Companies to Work For is not …

Dilip Puri, Founder & CEO, Indian School of Hospitality, said, “With India’s booming domestic market, many hotels thrive without foreign footfall.” However, he urges renewed global marketing, noting, “It’s time to repush the revamped ‘Incredible India 2.0’ campaign, backed by robust government support,” to showcase improved connectivity, infrastructure and guest experiences. 

Jasmeet Singh, Chief Commercial Officer-Holidays & Experiences, MakeMyTrip, said, “Agents offer trust and end-to-end support, especially in smaller cities where travel planning is often high-involvement and relationship-driven.” He believes that in these markets, travellers still rely heavily on personalised guidance, reassurance and handholding through complex itineraries. 

Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, Dubai’s quintessential luxury hospitality landmark, recently hosted an exclusive evening to appreciate the esteemed Indian travel trade partners for their continued collaboration and promotion efforts. The elegant networking event was held at Tamasha, Worli in Mumbai on 11th July 2025. The event offered an engaging atmosphere marked by curated hospitality, meaningful networking, and forward-looking conversations. The immersive experience presented incomparable service provided by the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. The evening also provided the attending guests to discuss future opportunities with key members of the hotel collection’s senior leadership team, including Vishesh Amerkar, Complex Director of Sales – MICE, and Tulay Kilic, Complex Director of Marketing. Speaking about the event, Tulay Kilic, Complex Director of Marketing, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection said, “India remains one of our strongest and most consistent source markets, and this event is our way of expressing gratitude to our valued partners for their continued support year after year. It has provided a great platform to strengthen existing relationships and explore new opportunities, as we remain committed to delivering exclusive, luxury experiences in the iconic travel destination of Dubai” The Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection features Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, part of the Legend Collection by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City. Each property offers its own distinctive style of luxury and personalized hospitality, while providing seamless access to Dubai’s most sought-after attractions.

At OTOAI’s 6th Annual Convention in Moscow, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “The way technology is changing rapidly, travel industry must adapt to these changes. Otherwise, it would be tough to compete with the big giants. In today’s world of social media, technology will help the members to sell Russia in a better way.”

GPS launched its 8th edition in Ahmedabad, unveiling a new format ‘GPS EcoConnect’, targeting tier II, III, and IV cities. Alongside the regular GPS meet in 8 cities, the new initiative will bring 1-day B2B meet to 8 more untapped markets. This expansion aims to connect remote travel trade hubs where traditional outreach is often limited.

Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Government of Goa  chaired a meeting of tourism stakeholders, where hospitality sector urged to simplify trade licence process and ease excise permits for restaurants. The Minister said, “If policies need to be tweaked, we will tweak them. Whether it is connectivity or visa, we will do what is necessary to ensure that tourism continue to flourish.”

Cross Hotels & Resorts invites Indian MICE travel agents to its special webinar on 15 July at 3pm IST to explore dynamic MICE opportunities at brand’s properties across Thailand. Get insights on enriching itineraries for your corporate clients. Register and win exciting prizes. For further info, contact sandeep.raghav@crosshotelsandresorts.in or 9599076699.

 From 9–13 June, New York City Tourism + Conventions successfully held its first-ever India Business Expo, bringing together 14 key Indian travel trade professionals for three impactful days of business development, destination discovery, and cultural exchange. Over 30 member businesses across all five boroughs took part in the mission, representing a mix of iconic attractions and new experiences. Leading hospitality players also participated, highlighting the city’s robust offering for Indian outbound travellers. The itinerary featured one-on-one meetings, a Broadway show, Five Borough Marketplace buyers meet, and visits to top cultural and lifestyle attractions—giving Indian buyers a deeper understanding of New York City’s tourism appeal. Highlights included a private screening of “Encounters in the Milky Way” at the American Museum of Natural History, an exclusive Broadway Night featuring Q&As with cast members from Aladdin and The Lion King, and a behind-the-scenes “Wild Encounter” at the Bronx Zoo with a sloth and armadillo—memorable moments that brought NYC’s vibrancy and storytelling to life. Reflecting on the success of the market’s inaugural Business Expo, Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development, said, “India continues to be one of New York City’s most promising and engaged visitor markets. The 2025 India Business Expo was a resounding success – not only did it strengthen relationships with our key trade partners, but it also gave us the opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of experiences across the five boroughs. We’re excited about the continued growth from India and remain committed to fostering long-term collaboration with this market.” New York City is home to the world’s busiest airport system and remains the number one port of entry for U.S. international travelers. The city welcomed 64.5 …

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group and Mandai Wildlife Group have launched a three-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Singapore’s appeal as a top travel destination, co-creating customer experiences through exclusive privileges, and spotlighting the interesting yet crucial work of wildlife conservation for the planet. The collaboration champions Singapore’s vision of being a City in Nature with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve as a unique window to the wild. As part of efforts to boost inbound travel from key international markets, SIA customers will gain access to curated wildlife experiences, exclusive co-branded retail collections, and benefits for visits to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, home to Singapore’s iconic wildlife parks which actively contribute to regional conservation efforts. As part of the partnership, the SIA Group and Mandai Wildlife Group will also collaborate on wildlife conservation efforts, with SIA providing air travel sponsorships and other forms of logistical support.  This may include assistance in transferring animals between Singapore’s wildlife parks and other accredited zoos around the world, as well as the repatriation of wildlife to their native habitats. Vinod Kannan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership strengthens our ability to offer our customers enhanced benefits, while supporting wildlife initiatives in Singapore and around the world. Combining the Singapore Airlines Group’s global reach with Mandai’s world-class wildlife attractions helps to enhance Singapore’s appeal as a leading global tourist destination.” Belina Lee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Transformation and Growth, Mandai Wildlife Group, added: “Two iconic Singapore brands have joined forces to create world class experiences for global travellers, that also champion conservation. Every visit supports conservation in our wildlife parks, across Singapore and the region. Together with Singapore Airlines, we are …