Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

With India’s rising middle class and younger Indian travellers, the country is poised to reshape the global leisure travel industry. According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), global leisure travel spending is projected to triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion by 2040, driven by emerging markets like India and China.

In a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s adventure tourism sector, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has received over 130 applications from companies eager to launch operations. In response, the government has issued detailed guidelines covering operator registration, safety standards, security protocols, environmental protection and local employment, aiming at regulating the sector and ensuring tourist safety.

Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is making a massive splash this summer. From July 1, the capital’s popular water park will open a new 13,445-square-metre zone featuring more than 20 additional rides, slides, and attractions to support Yas Island’s broader strategy to evolve into a year-round tourism and entertainment hub.

IndiGo announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Directors of InterGlobe Aviation Limited, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Speaking on this, Kant said, “I am delighted to join the Board of IndiGo. In under two decades, the brand has transformed air travel in India, emerging as a global benchmark for operational excellence and customer experience. I look forward to contributing to IndiGo’s and India’s next chapter of trade, tourism, and economic growth.”

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Thomas Cook has launched its ‘TravSure – Travel with Confidence’ program to reassure customers and give them confidence to travel again. It covers all international group tours and soon extends to personalised holidays. The company is also running an “End of Season Sale” offering Buy 1 Get 1 Free deals across destinations.

Expressing concern on the recent proposal to increase excise duty on liquor in Maharashtra, HRAWI in a letter to Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM & Minister of Finance & Excise, Maharashtra, said the proposed hike is expected to cause a sharp rise in the retail prices of alcoholic beverages reportedly between 14% to 60% across various categories, with the steepest increase in IMFL.

Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism, Visakhapatnam, has called for positioning the city as a global-standard tourism destination. He urged officials to create awareness campaigns promoting adventure, water sports, and cruise tourism. Highlighting the potential to host major national and international events, he said that the city should have 10,000 star-rated hotels.

Cross Hotels & Resorts in Thailand invites the Indian travel trade for an exclusive webinar today at 3 pm IST, focusing on its latest offerings. Get insights to help create enriched itineraries for your corporate clients, showcasing the best of what the brand has to offer. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever India Travel Trade Hub—a dedicated online platform created exclusively for the Indian travel trade community. This initiative serves as a comprehensive one-stop resource for travel advisors, tour operators, and MICE planners across India, offering the tools, insights, and support needed to promote and sell Los Angeles more effectively. The hub provides a curated experience tailored to the Indian market, featuring: Ready-to-sell itineraries DMC list Digital brochures and destination videos Trade-exclusive offers including the LA Perks Pass Training modules and webinars Offline events and trainings “India continues to be a key growth market for Los Angeles, and we are thrilled to deepen our engagement with the launch of this dynamic, first-of-its-kind Travel Trade Hub” said Seema Kadam, Regional Director, Los Angeles Tourism India.” This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting our trade partners with simplified tools and insights that make selling Los Angeles easier, more effective, and more rewarding.” This strategic step aligns with Los Angeles Tourism’s ongoing efforts to deepen engagement in India, enhance destination knowledge, and support the trade with best-in-class selling tools. This also aligns perfectly with Los Angeles’ exciting trajectory, as the city prepares to host a series of global, marquee events—including the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. Major cultural and infrastructure developments such as the opening of Destination Crenshaw, a celebration of Black art and culture, and the ongoing transformation of LAX airport, are also expected to enhance the visitor experience. Visit the India Trade Hub or the QR code.

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) had the honour of meeting Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister for Culture & Tourism , to discuss key matters impacting India’s outbound tourism industry. The discussion focused on the TCS (Tax Collected at Source) issue, where the Minister gave his valuable time and attention to the concerns raised by the OTOAI delegation. The meeting reflected the Ministry’s openness to dialogue and the importance of supporting the travel trade sector. OTOAI also extended a formal invitation to the Minister to attend the upcoming OTOAI Moscow Convention 2025 as the Guest of Honour, further strengthening the association’s vision of collaboration with the government. The meeting was represented by OTOAI leadership, including Immediate Past President Riaz Munshi, Vice President Shravan Bhalla, General Secretary Sidharth Khanna, and Executive Committee Member Vineet Gopal. This marks another significant step in OTOAI’s efforts to advocate for India’s growing outbound tourism industry.