Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, is organising an exclusive webinar for the Indian travel trade on 2 July at 3 pm IST. Speakers from Oman Air, JW Marriott Muscat and Zahara Tours will highlight the latest offerings and leisure experiences. Register and attend for a chance to win exciting prizes. For details, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. 

Spice Routes Luxury Cruises, a distinguished name in Kerala’s premium houseboat tourism, has been awarded the exclusive Diamond Classification by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. This top-tier recognition reaffirms Spice Routes’ unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional standards of luxury, safety, and hospitality in backwater cruising. The Diamond Classification is the highest recognition in Kerala’s houseboat classification system, granted only to operators who meet stringent benchmarks in safety protocols, environmental sustainability, design aesthetics, service quality, and guest comfort. “We are honored to receive this prestigious classification from Kerala Tourism,” said Mr. Jobin Joseph, Managing Partner of Spice Routes Luxury Cruises. “This milestone reflects our team’s dedication to creating unmatched guest experiences while upholding the highest standards in safety, cleanliness, and sustainability.” Spice Routes operates a curated fleet of luxury houseboats that blend traditional Kerala craftsmanship with modern elegance. From personalized onboard dining to eco-conscious amenities and attentive staff, every aspect of the cruise is designed to offer a world-class experience for discerning travellers. The Diamond Certification is also a strong validation of Spice Routes’ investments in modern safety infrastructure, including fire suppression systems, GPS tracking, emergency preparedness, and staff training, all of which exceed mandatory compliance requirements. “This recognition is not just an accolade, but a responsibility to continue leading by example in Kerala’s tourism landscape,” added Mr. Rojes Joseph, General Manager – Sales. With this certification, Spice Routes Luxury Cruises joins an exclusive group of top rated operators recognized by the state for their contribution to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in Kerala. For more information about Spice Routes Luxury Cruises or to book a luxury backwater experience, visit [www.spiceroutes.in].

Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “With the opening of D Square Statue of Unity Kevadia, a member of Radisson Individuals, we further strengthen our footprint in Gujarat. This hotel offers a distinct blend of local character and modern hospitality, in line with our strategy to grow our portfolio in emerging leisure destinations across the country. We are proud to contribute to this transformation by offering high-quality hospitality that complements the area’s cultural richness and sustainable development focus.”

IndiGo announces direct flights between Hindon (Ghaziabad) and Goa, starting July 20. Operating daily except Saturdays, this new route offers a convenient and time-saving travel option for residents of East and Central Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad by bringing Goa’s iconic beaches closer than ever. The flexible schedule is designed to cater to the increasing demand during peak travel season, offering more choice and comfort to travellers.

Saudi Arabia introduces a 30-day grace period for expired visit visas. This initiative starts from June 26-27, 2025. Visitors can extend their stay and exit legally without penalties. They must pay fees via the Absher platform. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reminds pilgrims to exit on time. This move ensures compliance with immigration rules and eases departure.

India continued to retain its position as the largest source for the tourism market in Nepal in 2025, according to the Nepal government’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation data. Between January and May this year, 5.01 lakh tourists visited Nepal, with Indians accounting for nearly 23% of the total share, with 1.15 lakh tourists.

Underscoring that MSMEs, including boutique hotels and local catering services, are crucial to the MICE segment in India, Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, said, “Boutique is the new big. These enterprises make India event-ready, but to grow, they need low-interest infrastructure loans, policy stability and public-private partnerships.”

Hyatt Place Gurgaon, an upscale business hotel in the heart of Gurgaon is pleased to announce Neha Kapoor as its new General Manager. Neha has more than 21 years of varied expertise in the hospitality sector, and her addition furthers the hotel’s dedication to providing exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence. Her strategic insight and people-centric ideals will drive the hotel’s ongoing expansion and improve its standing in the competitive Gurgaon market. Neha Kapoor began her career with the Grand Hyatt Mumbai’s pre-opening team and has subsequently held significant Sales & Marketing positions with top hospitality brands including JW Marriott Mumbai, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, and Shangri-La Mumbai. Her path with Hyatt has been exceptional, beginning as Director of Sales at Park Hyatt Hyderabad and progressing to senior positions at Hyatt Regency Pune and Hyatt Place Hyderabad Banjara Hills. She progressed through hotel operations, eventually becoming Assistant General Manager for Hyatt Place Hyderabad Banjara Hills. Neha’s first General Manager role was with Hyatt Place Vadodara, where she led the hotel to important milestones in guest satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational excellence. We are thrilled to welcome her to lead Hyatt Place Gurgaon effective 19th June 2025. Her enthusiasm for providing excellent guest experiences, paired with her commitment to team wellness and operational performance, is ideally aligned with our brand’s vision. We are certain that her leadership will solidify Hyatt Place Gurgaon’s status as a top choice for both business and leisure travellers. Neha defines herself as self-motivated, versatile, and committed. Her slogan for leadership is: “Support colleagues in their wellbeing journey, lead with integrity, and be empathetic to guests, shareholders, and the community.” Outside of work, she enjoys meeting new people, …

In a significant push to the tourism sector, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) signed 82 MoUs for investments amounting to ₹10,329 crore during the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Conclave Tech AI 2.0. The pact spans wellness, eco-tourism, caravan tourism, hospitality infrastructure, homestays, and digital solutions.

With Wimbledon underway and the India-England Test match around the corner, tourism companies in India are witnessing steady bookings from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) for curated experiences abroad. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & MICE, Thomas Cook, said, “We have introduced trips specially for the India-England Test match and Wimbledon.”