Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

India’s outbound travel market is poised for extraordinary growth, with passenger numbers projected to reach 39 million by 2028, reflecting a robust 8 per cent annual compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2023, according to Travelport. In 2023, India’s outbound travel exceeded pre-COVID levels, reaching 27 million passengers with a total travel value of US$40 billion.  

As per Booking.com, there has been an increase of 40-100 per cent in domestic year-end searches from the same time last year. Besides metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, Indian travellers are keen on exploring destinations offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With the boom in spiritual journeys, Varanasi is experiencing a 100 per cent increase in year-end searches.

Addressing 6th ITTA convention, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourisms, said, “The way tourism prospects, tourists and congestion are increasing in our country, and sustainability is going to be a challenge. We should start with mobility, I request you to request to your car drivers and make them flag bearers of sustainability.”

World`s steepest cableway is open! The world’s steepest cable car has started operating from Saturday, 14th December 2024. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was officially opened the day before as part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the same time, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg will go into operation. It marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project: the opening of the new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in just four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a height of 775 metres on a journey of almost 1194 metres. The two cable cars from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have space for 85 people or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 people per hour can be transported at full capacity. A striking feature is the very long suspension arm of 11 metres, which was essential due to the extreme gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors enables autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car. Grand opening On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable car was officially opened in the presence of over 600 guests. The lively celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, took place in the new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the …

Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism & Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh unveiled the state’s Tourism Policy 2024-2029. He said, “Main objective is to attract investments worth ₹25,000 crore under PPP model. The policy offers opportunities across various sectors including temple, eco, village, wellness & agricultural tourism.”

Puneet Chhatwal, Chairman, CII National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality, and MD & CEO, IHCL, says, “Tourism is not just about economic value and job creation, but also about cultural diplomacy, fostering deeper global connections. India is at an inflection point, moving from ‘Incredible India’ to ‘Inevitable India.'”

During the 18th CII Annual Tourism Summit, Mugdha Sinha, DG, Ministry of Tourism, GoI, said that infrastructure is the scaffold that holds the tourism sector together. “But it is actually how we position ourselves. So, I think the framing of the idea of Incredible India as a tourism product needs to get better,” she added.

As 2024 draws to a close, we at MRG Group reflect on what has been an extraordinary year of growth, innovation, and success. This year, our flagship ventures—Sanadige Restaurants and Goldfinch Hotels—have continued to uphold their reputation for excellence, delighting guests with unparalleled hospitality and culinary experiences. From introducing new menu innovations at Sanadige to elevating our service standards across Goldfinch Hotels, we have strived to exceed expectations and create memorable moments for our patrons. The Indian hospitality industry, marked by record-breaking occupancy rates and average daily rates (ADR), signalling strong recovery and growth. Domestic travel, corporate events, and India’s global presence through events like the G20 and the Cricket World Cup played pivotal roles in this resurgence. We at MRG Group have seen a huge growth in our HOSPITALITY as well as REAL ESTATE business. At MRG Group, we witnessed this positive momentum first-hand. The launch of our new property in Navi Mumbai is a testament to our commitment to expanding in high-potential markets. This year has reinforced the industry’s adaptability and the increasing demand for experiential travel. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the continued growth of leisure, MICE, and corporate travel, while remaining mindful of challenges like rising operational costs. MRG Group remains dedicated to delivering excellence in hospitality and creating memorable experiences for our guests.” This renewed momentum has not only driven business growth but has also reaffirmed the timeless value of genuine hospitality. Looking ahead, we are filled with optimism for 2025. The new year promises to be a transformative one for MRG Group as we actively explore new avenues for expansion. With plans for strategic acquisitions and partnerships with international brands, we aim to …

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism, urges the tourism industry to create a document on reinstating the Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) in a new format. During Cll Tourism Summit he said, “I will discuss with the Finance Minister and PM on reinstating the incentive given on Forex earned by tour operators.”

Sharing a broad strategy for next year, Anoop Tewari, Business & Commercial Strategy (Aviation and Travel Technology), ITQ, says “We are looking big, going by the tide and seeing the direction we are heading to invest as ITQ. Of course, Travelport is also investing a lot on technology as ITQ will be implementing a lot on tech solutions for travel agents to make their life easy, focusing on content, focusing on forward integration of solutions which help them handle their customers well and also help them scale up their business, make them bigger.”