Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Thailand has welcomed over one million Indian tourists in the first half of 2025, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This milestone reflects the growing India-Thailand travel bond, driven by visa exemptions, digital arrival cards and diverse tourism offerings. The surge reaffirms Thailand’s strong appeal among Indian travellers seeking cultural, luxury and leisure experiences.

Haldane Dodd, Executive Director, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), said, “Aviation supports 42 million jobs and $890 billion in GDP across Asia-Pacific. One in every 45 jobs is aviation-linked. For every $1 of direct aviation value, $3.70 of economic activity is generated.” He added, “The multiplier effect underscores why aviation must remain central to economic and tourism development.” 

India must now focus on attracting higher-spending, experience-driven travellers, said Dr Jyotsna Suri, CMD, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group. “We’ve had backpackers. Now, we need better quality tourists. For them, slight price differences with Thailand or Indonesia don’t matter,” she noted. “India offers great value—and that’s what we must promote through a sharper, segmented Incredible India campaign,” she added. 

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and one of the world’s fastest-growing airline brands, launched a new passenger service to Hyderabad, India, on June 16, 2025. The thrice-weekly flights were inaugurated with a vibrant ceremony at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, attended by senior government officials, ambassadors, distinguished guests, and members of the aviation community. This new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening connectivity between Africa and India, and beyond offering passengers more convenient travel options. The new flight will operate three days a week as per the below detail: ET 682 Addis Ababa (ADD) to Hyderabad (HYD) – Mon, Wed, Sat ET 683 Hyderabad (HYD) to Addis Ababa (ADD) – Tue, Thu, Sat While officially launching the new route, Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, remarked, “We are pleased to commence this new passenger service to Hyderabad, the fifth destination Ethiopian operates in India. We believe that beyond providing air transportation service, this new flight will play a pivotal role in strengthening trade and tourism ties between the two regions.” The Group CEO further stated, “This route offers convenient passenger transport services, and Ethiopian will continue exploring new opportunities to expand its network in India and the region. As the continent’s top carrier with wide connectivity and world-class service, we remain dedicated to meeting the growing demand and fostering stronger partnerships across borders.” Ethiopian Airlines is currently providing over fifty weekly dedicated passenger and cargo flight services to five Indian cities; Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. With the addition of this new passenger route to Hyderabad, Ethiopian will solidify its presence in India to serve growing travel demand. It also provides more choice and seamless connections to …

In a significant step towards strengthening long-term cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at the CM’s residence, Samatva. The MoU marks a landmark development that positions Madhya Pradesh as a central hub for Indo-French cultural and tourism collaboration. The agreement was signed by Dr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India; Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board; and Mr. Akhilesh Verma, President of Alliance Francaise de Bhopal. The MoU is valid for a period of three years and is extendable upon mutual agreement. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav remarked that India and France have always shared a strong and cordial relationship, further strengthened following Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France. He affirmed Madhya Pradesh’s commitment not only to cultural cooperation with France but also to deepening trade relations. He also mentioned his proposed visit to France in the coming month. Dr. Yadav stated that this partnership would pave the way for collaboration in industrial development, encouragement of entrepreneurship, and promotion of traditional crafts. “This MoU embodies our vision to establish Madhya Pradesh as not only the cultural capital of India but also as a dynamic global centre for tourism and cultural exchange. The agreement will provide international exposure to the state’s artists and is expected to significantly boost tourist footfall from France and across Europe,” he added. Ambassador Dr. Thierry Mathou expressed his pleasure at formalising this partnership and stated, “We are delighted to establish this important collaboration with the Government of Madhya …

Atmosphere Core and Satyadeo Hospitality Private Limited Join hands to Launch a Hill Resort – ATMOSPHERE KUFRI in Himachal Pradesh. Atmosphere Core, a leading name in global hospitality, is pleased to announce its strategic collaboration with Satyadeo Hospitality Private Limited to launch a luxurious boutique resort in the picturesque Himalayan hill station of Kufri. Slated to open in the first quarter of 2026, ATMOSPHERE KUFRI will be ideally located on the Himalayan slopes, just a short distance from Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. Mr. Salil Panigrahi is Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, “As part of our dynamic expansion across India, a key focus is our approach towards developing premium experiences in hill station destinations. As part of our mission to sign 25 properties by 2025, this upcoming resort is being thoughtfully designed to cater to a diverse range of travellers—from leisure seekers and corporate guests to curated events and destination weddings”. Operating under the distinguished ATMOSPHERE sub-brand, the resort’s first phase will feature 58 keys of luxurious accommodation, including deluxe rooms, suites, and presidential suites. In its second phase, the resort is expected to expand its inventory to 100 rooms. Panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan mountains and surrounding greenery, will create a serene and immersive ambience and experience. ATMOSPHERE KUFRI promises an exceptional culinary journey. Guests will enjoy a vibrant all-day dining venue with outdoor seating, a specialty restaurant celebrating northern Indian flavours, a cosy in-house bakery, an elegant lounge, and a stylish bar—each curated to delight refined palates. The wellness offerings will be anchored by the award-winning ELE|NA spa, offering tranquil therapy rooms with breathtaking views of the Himalayan landscape—a perfect setting for rejuvenation and peace. …

Linkin Reps is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Vineet Sarna as the new Head of Business Development. Bringing with him a wealth of experience in B2B sales and strategic partnerships within the travel industry, Vineet is set to lead the growth journey for three of Linkin Reps’ premier partners: Royal Gulf (Dubai), Tour Blue (Sri Lanka), and SriLankan Holidays, the holiday program of SriLankan Airlines. A Strategic Force in Travel Sales Vineet Sarna is a seasoned leader known for his sharp business acumen, market foresight, and results-driven approach. With deep expertise in market expansion, revenue optimization, and partnership building, he has a proven track record of delivering sustainable growth and creating long-term business value. Experience That Drives Value Before joining Linkin Reps, Vineet held the position of General Manager – B2B at CGTT India Pvt Ltd, where he successfully handled trade business for Dubai and reinforced global partnerships. His previous roles and responsibilities at TUI India, STHI Holidays, Nijhawan Group, and Abacus provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the travel and tourism landscape. Vineet has consistently excelled in areas such as contract negotiations, trade engagement, tourism board collaborations, and the development of high-impact, scalable business models. He has proudly represented global tourism icons like Aitken Spence Hotels, Mount Titlis, Harbour Plaza Hotels and more. He also led Rail Europe for TUI, further expanding his expertise in European travel products and partnerships. Accelerating Global Partnerships In his new role, Vineet will drive the business development agenda for Royal Gulf – Dubai, Tour Blue – Sri Lanka, and SriLankan Holidays. His focus will include identifying new market opportunities, strengthening relationships with key trade partners, and executing dynamic sales and …

Six-month leadership development program launched to groom Cinnamon’s next generation of General Managers The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) has launched an intensive leadership development program in collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The initiative is part of a six-month engagement following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year. The first cohort of 15 senior managers from Cinnamon Hotels completed a week-long bootcamp at the ISH campus in Gurugram, followed by a week-long orientation across Leela Palace properties in New Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bengaluru. The bespoke program is designed to groom high-potential talent for General Manager roles as Cinnamon scales its brand and enters the luxury segment. Faculty from academia and industry delivered core modules on Finance, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and People Leadership. The orientation at Leela’s flagship luxury hotels gave participants both guest and operational exposure, immersing them in delivering luxury experiences from front to back. This collaboration falls under ISH Business Solutions, the institution’s executive education vertical focused on delivering capability-building interventions for the hospitality and service sectors. Built on ISH’s academic foundation and global affiliations with Sommet Education, the vertical represents ISH’s deep and sustained engagement with the industry in India and offshore markets. Dilip Puri, Founder and Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality said, “The need to build a strong pipeline of future General Managers remains a strategic priority across the global hospitality sector. Future-ready brands like Cinnamon Hotels recognise the value of investing in human capital as they pursue rapid regional growth. ISH is delighted to be their knowledge partners to support the continued learning of their managers.” As the hospitality sector continues its transformation, …

Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1939 as Hailey National Park, is India’s oldest national park and one of the most sought-after destinations for tiger safaris, eco-tourism, and wilderness escapes. Its close proximity to Delhi NCR just 260 km (approximately 5–6 hours by road) from Indira Gandhi International Airport makes it a popular choice for weekend retreats, destination weddings, and corporate offsites. The resort is ideally situated about 13 km from Ramnagar town and 15 km from Amdanda Gate, the main entrance to the park’s Bijrani zone. The nearest domestic airport is Pantnagar, located roughly 80 km away. Wyndham Garden Jim Corbett Choi features 44 contemporary guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a bar lounge, banquet halls and meeting rooms, health club and spa as well as an outdoor swimming pool With its lush forest surroundings and comprehensive amenities, the resort is designed to provide a serene yet premium experience for all types of travelers. Omesh Agarwal, Managing Partner of M/S Gatik & Deetya Resorts & Spa LLP. said, “We are thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our portfolio under the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts brand. Our commitment to exceptional service and thoughtful guest experiences remains unwavering.” Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said, “We are excited to unveil the Wyndham Garden resort in Jim Corbett, where guests will enjoy an experience-led stay surrounded by nature. The ‘Wyndham Garden’ brand reflects our commitment to sustainability and comfort. Our partnership with M/S Gatik & Deetya Resorts & Spa LLP is built on trust, and this property adds great value to the region’s hospitality offerings.”

Waterways Leisure Tourism, which operates Cordelia Cruises, is planning to raise ₹727 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The IPO, with a face value of ₹10, is a fresh issue of shares amounting to ₹727 crore, with no offer-for-sale component. The funds raised will be used for lease payments to its subsidiary, Baycruise Shipping and Leasing (IFSC) Private Limited, and general corporate purposes.