Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

As fireworks burst across the National Mall next Friday night, the countdown to America’s 250th in the nation’s capital will begin with a flourish. Washington, DC will serve as center stage for the national celebration in 2026, with the city’s international symbols of American independence, rich history and local culture at the heart of the festivities. Major new openings across the city – including an immersive museum underneath the Lincoln Memorial, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, renovations to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and completion of the National Air and Space Museum – combined with a full calendar of special events, festivals and exhibitions – make Washington, DC the place to be all year. “Throughout 2026, nowhere will the celebration for America’s 250th be more spectacular than the nation’s capital,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “There’s only one place visitors will find the complete package for the occasion: special programming, can’t-miss experiences, new attractions, excitement, value, the Declaration of Independence itself, and ways to learn about its impact on different segments of the population.” Destination DC and a growing list of more than 75 participating organizations from the local tourism and hospitality community are planning an inclusive, citywide celebration, extending from the National Mall to the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, places and people.

Indian travellers and lovers of authentic cuisine have something new to look forward to at Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta. The hotel has officially launched an exclusive partnership with Bali’s iconic Queen’s Tandoor, bringing the warmth and richness of Indian food straight to guests’ rooms via its in-room dining service. Whether you’re unwinding after a flight or relaxing poolside, the aroma of freshly grilled Paneer Tikka, the creamy richness of Butter Chicken, or the comforting spice of a Veg Biryani is just a phone call away. Each dish is crafted by Queen’s Tandoor’s expert chefs using traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients, ensuring an experience that’s as close to home as it gets. “Food is a powerful connector to culture and comfort,” said Anders Lund, Cluster General Manager of Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta. “With so many Indian travellers visiting Bali, we wanted to offer something that feels both familiar and special delivered with the convenience of in-room dining.” Guests can order from a carefully curated menu that includes: Classic Samosa – crisp pastry filled with spiced potatoes Paneer Tikka – grilled cottage cheese cubes marinated in aromatic spices Chicken Tikka Masala – grilled chicken in a vibrant red curry Jeera Pulao – fragrant cumin-infused basmati rice Veg Biryani – a comforting pot of rice, spices, and mixed vegetables Gulab Jamun – soft milk dumplings soaked in warm sugar syrup The menu also offers a variety of vegetarian, eggless, and gluten-free options, making it inclusive for different dietary preferences. Available exclusively through Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier’s in-room dining, all meals are freshly prepared and delivered under 90 minutes. For late-night cravings or a cozy night in, it’s a perfect …

Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Karthi VK as its new General Manager, marking an exciting new chapter for the hotel’s growth and guest experience strategy in the heart of Dhaka’s premier business district. With over 18 years of rich experience across leading hotel brands such as The Oberoi, Trident, and Crowne Plaza, Karthi VK is a seasoned hotelier renowned for delivering operational excellence, stakeholder value, and people-centric leadership. A key member of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) since 2018, Karthi is known not just for driving market-leading financial performance, but also for his signature approach: “He leads with Heart.” This reflects his unwavering belief that true leadership begins with listening, and that people-first cultures create exceptional guest experiences. Most recently, Karthi spearheaded the pre-opening and successful launch of Holiday Inn Express Kathmandu Naxal, reintroducing the IHG brand to Nepal after a three-year hiatus. Under his strategic leadership, the property earned multiple accolades including the Best New Hotel Opening of 2024 across IHG’s India, Middle East, and Africa network, the Best New Business Hotel in Nepal, and he was recognized as the Best New General Manager at the 19th Hospitality International Tourism and Travel Awards. These achievements underscore his visionary leadership, as the hotel rapidly outperformed established competitors in market penetration, guest satisfaction, and revenue performance, all within just a few months of operation. Karthi’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that “hospitality is all about small little things.” Whether it’s curating memorable guest moments or fostering employee growth, his commitment to excellence translates into loyal guests, engaged teams, and vibrant communities. His tenure in Nepal delivered not only high guest satisfaction and …

Goa is set to welcome more tourists from Kazakhstan, as charter operators show strong interest in expanding seasonal flights. During recent B2B meetings in Almaty, Goa Tourism’s sustainable travel offerings and its new campaign, #GlowOnArrival, sparked interest among Kazakh tour operators, opening up fresh business opportunities.

Puducherry is targeting around 30 lakh tourist arrivals by 2030, said K Lakshminarayanan, Tourism Minister. Currently, the Union Territory sees 19 lakh domestic and 1 lakh international tourists annually. The govemment plans to boost infrastructure and promotions to further position Puducherry as a key tourism destination in South India.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, is organising an exclusive webinar for the Indian trade on 2 July at 3 pm. Speakers from Oman Air, JW Marriott Muscat and Zahara Tours will highlight the latest offerings. Register and attend for a chance to win exciting prizes. For details, contact jaspreetkaur@ddppl.com.

FHRAI has announced revised dates for its 55 Annual Convention, now scheduled from 18-20 September at Conrad Bengaluru, instead of the earlier 12-14 September. The event will bring together over 1,000 industry leaders to chart the future of Indian hospitality through innovation, sustainability and collaboration.

Turtle Down Under in collaboration with Tourism Australia will conduct a webinar today at 12pm, highlighting the different experiences that visitors can indulge in when travelling to Australia. It will include exclusive destination presentations from tourism board members. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism is going to hold a high-level review meeting of tourism secretaries of all states on 7 and 8 July in J&K’s Pahalgam to revive tourism in the Kashmir Valley. The aim is to send out a powerful message that tourists are safe in Kashmir and they can return to their dream destinations in the Valley without fear.

CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, GSTC, said, “Despite India’s growing hospitality industry, only six Indian hotels are currently GSTC certified, compared to over 2,000 globally.” The disparity, he explains, lies in the lack of strong policy support in India. While the MOT can issue guidelines, implementation depends on individual states, he added.