Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

IndiGo is set to enhance its international capacity to Central Asia with the launch of direct flights to three key destinations: Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi. Starting July 1, 2025, IndiGo will commence operations from Mumbai to Almaty, followed by flights to Tashkent from August 01, 2025, and to Tbilisi from August 02, 2025. The airline will operate four weekly flights to both Tashkent and Almaty, and three weekly flights to Tbilisi, significantly enhancing connectivity between India and the growing markets of Central Asia. The new routes are set to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties, while offering customers more travel options across the region. IndiGo had launched flights to these cities from Delhi in 2023, and this move marks another step in the airline’s commitment to expanding its international footprint and meeting the rising demand for international travel. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “Building on the success of our Delhi – Central Asia routes, we are extremely pleased to announce direct flights to Almaty, Tashkent and Tbilisi from Mumbai, reinforcing our commitment to connecting India to the world. These routes will further enhance accessibility to these culturally rich destinations, fostering global connections and enriching tourism. At IndiGo, we anticipate the ever-evolving passenger needs and strive to offer seamless, direct, and reliable travel options.”  

Marking another milestone in its mission to enhance regional air connectivity in India, FLY91, the pure play regional airline, successfully commenced operations on the Goa–Solapur–Goa route on 9 June.  The inaugural flight was welcomed at Solapur Airport with a traditional water cannon salute, celebrating the regional airline’s entry into one of Maharashtra’s key cultural and industrial hubs. The inaugural flight which took off from Solapur to Goa was ceremonially flagged off by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Co-operation, Murlidhar Mohol, in the presence of Guardian Minister of Solapur, Jaykumar Gore, along with local MLAs, state officials from the Solapur administration,  Airports Authority of India and FLY91. While Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and the two deputy Chief Ministers, Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, were unable to attend the inauguration ceremony due to unfavourable weather conditions, all three dignitaries sent their respective warm wishes on the occasion. “With the arrival of FLY91’s inaugural flight from Goa, Solapur is now on the aviation map of India. The air transport connectivity will ease the travel of individuals who travel to Solapur for pilgrimage, business and more,” Mohol said at a ceremony held at the Solapur airport ahead of FLY91’s  inaugural flight to Goa. The Goa–Solapur–Goa flight will operate four times a week (Mon-Fri-Sat-Sun) at the scheduled timings listed on its website. In keeping with FLY91’s regional philosophy, inflight announcements during the flight are carried out in Marathi, the regional language of Maharashtra, and in English. “Today is a historic day in the lives of the people of Solapur. The efforts of many individuals have gone into making this airport operational and the subsequent start of FLY91’s Goa – Solapur – …

Speaking about how a volatile stock market impacts tourism, Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash Travel Services, said, “A volatile stock market leaves a discernible impact on travel and tourism by influencing consumer confidence and spending behaviour. Travel is closely tied to how secure consumers feel financially, and the stock market plays a central role in shaping that sentiment.”

India’s business travel segment is booming, with the MICE market projected to double from $49.4 billion in 2024 to over $100 billion by 2030, according to CII. The rise of bleisure travel and demand from younger professionals for curated, experience-rich itineraries blending work and leisure are key drivers of this growth.

Air India has rolled out an integrated self-check-in and baggage-drop service for its passengers flying from India to all destinations operated by the airline in Europe, the UK and Canada. Air India was the first airline to have introduced this service from India to international destinations in the US and Australia, besides airports in the domestic network. Air India is now extending the facility to a total of 19 airports – London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Birmingham, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Zurich, Toronto, Vancouver and to all five destinations in US (New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington and San Francisco) and two in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) – from airports in India. The initiative reaffirms Air India’s commitment to leveraging technology to elevate customer experience and deliver world-class service across every touchpoint. The integrated self-check-in and baggage-drop service offers smooth and faster check-in process at the airport, significantly enhancing passenger experience. With this facility, Air India passengers can enjoy a seamless digital process to print boarding passes and baggage tags and drop bags on their own, eliminating the need to queue up for check in at counters. The kiosks allow travellers to customise their trips by selecting and even paying for their preferred seats or update their frequent flyer number and contact details. This initiative cuts down on the time spent queueing up at the counters and helps passengers breeze through the airport to reach their boarding gates in time. Over the last one year, Air India has introduced several customer initiatives including the Premium Lobby that offers exclusive check-in for first, business, and premium economy passengers, the dedicated Family Assistance counters at Delhi airport offering support to passengers travelling …

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Atithi Gokul Hotel Inns Pvt Ltd (Part of AG Group, Ahmedabad) to develop a new hotel, “Holiday Inn Ahmedabad”. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028, the hotel reflects IHG’s strategy to expand its presence in high-potential markets across India, offering guests trusted, quality hospitality in key urban, commercial and leisure centers. Renowned globally with over 1,200 open hotels, IHG’s Holiday Inn® brand has consistently evolved over the years to meet the needs of modern travellers. Known for its warm and welcoming service that helps guests make the most of their journey and its consistent offerings, the brand remains a preferred choice among both business and leisure travellers. The Holiday Inn brand family has received exceptional response in India and the latest signing reflects a great brand fit for travellers and owners alike. Holiday Inn Ahmedabad, the 150-key hotel will form part of Highline – a mixed use development comprising residential and commercial spaces. Positioned strategically along the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway, will benefit from excellent connectivity to government institutions, educational hubs, corporate offices, and IT parks, making it an ideal choice for business and transient travellers visiting the city. Guests at the hotel will have access to well-appointed rooms and suites, three vibrant dining options including an All-Day Dining restaurant and Lobby Lounge, as well as a ballroom, fitness centre, swimming pool, and ample parking, delivering on the Holiday Inn brand promise of making travel more relaxed and enjoyable. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Gujarat with signing of Holiday Inn …

Sarovar Hotels, in partnership with Ramay LLP, is delighted to announce the signing of Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya, a 129-key upscale hotel. Scheduled to open in 2026, this landmark addition strengthens Sarovar Hotels’ growing footprint in North India . This year, 2025, marks a significant phase for Sarovar Hotels with a total of 20 new signings nationally, reflecting strong momentum in expanding the brand’s portfolio. The Uttar Pradesh portfolio now includes 15 properties, located to support the state’s growing tourism, pilgrimage, and business travel demand. Located in the historic city of Ayodhya, one of India’s most iconic pilgrimage and cultural destinations, Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya will offer guests stays rooted in rich heritage combined with comfortable, thoughtful service. Rajesh Ranjan, Sr. Vice President – Development, Sarovar Hotels said, “We are excited to bring Sarovar’s trusted hospitality to Ayodhya, a city that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. This property is a part of our broader vision to expand thoughtfully in pilgrimage and heritage destinations, offering guests warm and welcoming stays that honor the local traditions. With multiple signings this year, including several in Uttar Pradesh, we are committed to supporting the region’s tourism growth and providing travelers with authentic experiences. We look forward to welcoming guests to Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya in 2026.”

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), in collaboration with the Centre County Commissioners, has announced the allocation of over USD 1.1 million in tourism grant funding for the fiscal year 2025–26. This marks the highest grant distribution in the program’s history, supporting a total of 81 projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing travel experiences and encouraging visitation to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. “Topping the one-million-dollar mark is a tremendous milestone for the Tourism Grant Program,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of HVAB. “It’s a visible example of how a strong tourism economy, particularly through overnight stays, benefits our entire community.” The announcement took place at Rolling Rails Lodge in Port Matilda under the theme “Tourism in Bloom.” The initiative underscores HVAB’s commitment to nurturing local attractions, cultural events, and hospitality-focused development across the region. Out of the 81 projects funded, 11 come from first-time applicants, including the Happy Valley Latin Festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. “We’re thrilled to receive this Tourism Marketing Grant,” said Ady Martinez, Festival Director. “Thanks to this support, we’ll be able to reach a wider audience for our bilingual, inclusive celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture, taking place on September 20 during Hispanic Heritage Month.” The Centre County Commissioner Chair, Mark Higgins, emphasized the scale of the region’s tourism growth. “It is exciting to see total tourism revenue for Centre County exceed $1 billion and the Tourism Grant pool cross $1 million. These grants directly enhance visitor experiences and enrich local life,” he stated. Other beneficiaries include the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, which received dual grants to market its heritage train rides, especially the Christmas rides that draw significant local participation. “These funds are vital for attracting visitors from …

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India successfully hosted the Korea MICE Roadshow 2025 on June 5 in Mumbai. The event aimed to spotlight Korea’s growing appeal as a destination for MICE travel, and to strengthen connections with India’s travel trade and corporates. The roadshow highlighted key offerings, including Korea’s incentive support program, MICE group visa facilitation, and robust convention infrastructure. KTO also emphasized the comprehensive support extended to Indian MICE groups traveling to Korea—such as the Korea MICE Group Visa, which includes visa fee waivers, express processing, and simplified documentation for eligible groups. Additionally, KTO showcased details of its MICE Support Program, which ranges from souvenirs and destination experience fees to customized support for gala dinners, performances, charter buses, K-pop booths, K-food trucks, and video highlights of the trip. Support is tiered based on group size and requirements, with optional inclusions like team-building activities, welcome receptions, and cultural experiences. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, remarked, “It was a pleasure to see such strong participation in Mumbai, with over 150 attendees including MICE travel agents, corporates, and media. This level of interest reflects the growing curiosity about Korea as a compelling new destination for business and incentive travel. With our dedicated support programs, we are confident Korea will become a preferred choice for the Indian market.” A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of Indian actress and Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, Hina Khan, who was officially appointed by KTO on May 9, 2025, at a ceremony held at the KTO Seoul Center (HiKr Ground). She recently returned from a KTO-hosted FAM trip across Seoul, Gangwon State, and Incheon. The event concluded with a KTO …

Sirigesanong Trirattanasongpol, Director, TAT, Delhi Office shared that IndiGo and TAT are in dialogue to start a direct flight from India (city not confirmed) to Chiang Mai. Stakeholders believe that it will boost the numbers of Indian travellers to Chiang Mai i.e. North Thailand. Currently Indians mostly prefer South Thailand due to direct connectivity. This may help Thailand in reaching its target of welcoming around 2.3 million Indians in 2025.