Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

Goa tourism is bouncing back, with over 71 lakh visitors recorded till September, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic. The state tourism department said efforts have been made to boost tourism through initiatives like enhanced infrastructure, improved connectivity, and active promotion in global markets, ensuring that “Goa remains a sought-after destination for travellers from across the world.

Highlighting the efforts being made to make tourism an integral part of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Govt of India, said a total of 76.17 million jobs have been created in the tourism sector along with launching programs like Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi. Foreign exchange earnings are estimated to be $28.07 billion, marking a 42.53% increase compared to 2014.

Hotelogix’ latest white paper revealed that India’s home-grown mid-segment hotel brands account for about 60% of the country’s total branded rooms, demonstrating resilience and innovation within the competitive Indian hotel industry. According to the insights, domestic mid-market brands with limited inventory are poised for significant growth in tier II, III, and IV cities.

Fourth-year program offers aspiring hospitality leaders’ access to worldwide education and career opportunities through scholarships and training Caribbean hospitality employees are invited to apply for admission to the 2025 Caribbean Hospitality Professional Development Program sponsored by Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, one of the world’s leading hospitality business management schools, and the CHTA Education Foundation. This transformative program has become a cornerstone for professional growth in the region’s thriving tourism sector, equipping supervisors and managers with the tools to accelerate their journey toward senior leadership roles. “Les Roches is once again honored to partner with CHTAEF for the fourth consecutive year on this impactful initiative,” said Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches Global Hospitality Education. “With over 100 participants from 15 Caribbean islands, the program has already fostered a community of skilled professionals driving the region’s tourism excellence. Together with CHTA EF, we aim to continue empowering Caribbean talent and supporting a sustainable, resilient future for the region’s hospitality industry.” The six-month program is designed to be pursued alongside participants’ current roles, requiring a commitment of 12–15 hours per week. It combines virtual and experiential learning in areas such as hospitality operations, revenue management, marketing, sustainability, and leadership. Graduates emerge with advanced skills tailored to meet the evolving demands of today’s global tourism market. Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairperson of CHTA Education Foundation said, “As Chairperson, I am profoundly proud of the significant impact our Professional Development Program has had on shaping the careers of Caribbean hospitality professionals. This initiative not only highlights the talent within our region but also underscores our commitment to nurturing that talent into leadership. By collaborating with Les Roches, we ensure our participants are …

Between October and December 2024, Agoda observed a 4 per cent rise in inbound searches and a 10 per cent increase in domestic searches for popular spiritual destinations across India. As per the report, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Varanasi lead the charge for domestic and international visitors.

Arunachal Pradesh, which has captured the imagination of adventurers for thrilling and off-beat experiences, tops the adventure travel destinations list for 2025. The list was released by Vaibhav Kala, Senior Vice President, ATOAI and Founder, Aquaterra Adventures India, after a survey of over 1,000 passionate adventure travellers.

Raja Vaqoob Farooq, Director, Tourism, Kashmir revealed that Union Ministry of Tourism is in dialogue with Ministry of Home Affairs on allowing satellite phones for trekkers in no-network zones in the Kashmir valley. Farooq said trekking is an important part of the valley’s tourism and the department has identified 75 new tracks.

Till now, 35 projects worth ₹4857.11 crore have been sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for Northeast Region (PM-DevINE) Scheme including the development of Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor at Guwahati, Assam. The scheme was initially announced with 100 per cent Central funding in the Union Budget 2022-23 with an initial outlay of ₹1500 crore. However, in 2022, Cabinet approved it with an outlay of ₹6600 crore.

The SriLankan Airlines’ Mumbai team, in collaboration with the airline’s Maldives team and Canareef Resort, recently hosted a successful agents’ educational tour to the stunning Gan Island in the Maldives. Famed as a diver’s hotspot, Gan is rapidly transforming into a popular family holiday destination in the Maldives, celebrated for its eclectic mix of natural beauty, rich history, heritage and vibrant marine life – not to mention a lower departure tax than in the Male international airport. The tour welcomed tour operators from Mumbai and Pune, offering them an unforgettable stay in Canareef’s luxurious Premium Beach Villas. The itinerary included snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, dolphin-spotting excursions, sunset cruises, rejuvenating spa treatments featuring traditional Balinese massages, yoga amidst lush greenery and the delightful flavours of Maldivian cuisine. This initiative is part of SriLankan Airlines’ strategy to boost tourism along the Mumbai–Gan Island route via Colombo. The tour’s success is expected to inspire renewed interest among Indian travellers in visiting the Maldives by choosing SriLankan Airlines’ seamless connections through Colombo. SriLankan conveniently connects Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram to Colombo with 90 weekly flights, offering immediate connections to the Maldives.