Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO West Bengal Chapter, has clarified that the recent news reports of a 3-month tourist ban in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve that created panic across the trade is false. “Upon intervention by IATO West Bengal, the Forest Department has officially confirmed that the news is false and unverified. Such misinformation available on social media severely impacts tourism, disrupts local livelihoods, and damages the reputation of sensitive destinations. Media must verify facts with competent authorities before publishing,” he adds.

According to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report, corporates today are limiting global travel in favour of regional trips. And while people are taking fewer business trips overall, the average duration is longer, suggesting efforts to stretch travel budgets. This shift towards fewer but longer regional business trips indicates a strategic approach to travel budgets.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing major Indian carriers, has sought waivers on user development fee and aviation security fee for a year at Srinagar Airport to boost air travel demand to and from Kashmir. Currently, every departing passenger shells out ₹1,050 as UDF and ₹200 as Aviation ASF plus GST, as per FIA.  

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the government and the private exhibition industry must collaborate to establish India as a centre of MICE tourism. “Several global events can be hosted in India. With planned expansions in road, aviation and railway sectors alongside growth in the conference and exhibition industry, the country has a promising future. The exhibition and conference infrastructure in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jaipur and even small cities post-G-20 summit indicates that India has strong opportunities in this sector,” he adds.

In a bid to promote tourism in the hill State, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, launched border tourism activities at Shipki-La. He said, “We have eased restrictions for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of Shipki-La, and the tourism activities here would strengthen the economy of the local people, along with boosting tourism in the region.”  

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new hotel in Mysuru. This greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Mysuru, with its rich cultural heritage and a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, education, and tourism, continues to evolve as a key urban centre. Enhanced connectivity through recent infrastructure developments like the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is further boosting travel and tourism in the region. This signing is in line with our strategy to expanding in fast-growing economic and cultural destinations. We are delighted to partner with the Farah Group on this project.” Located near the Hebbal Industrial Area, the 115-key Vivanta, Mysuru will feature an all-day dining restaurant, and a bar. Liaquath Ali Khan, MD, Farah Builders, “We are proud to partner with IHCL to bring the Vivanta brand to Mysuru. This hotel will serve as a contemporary hub for the city’s growing hospitality needs.” Mysuru, steeped in royal heritage and cultural grandeur, is known for its magnificent palaces, vibrant traditions, and historic landmarks, including the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hills, and the scenic Brindavan Gardens. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 26 hotels in Karnataka including 12 under development.

According to HVS Anarock’s latest report, hotel occupancy in India in April 2025 increased by 2 percentage points (pp) from March 2025. In comparison to April 2024, it was up by 4–6 pp.

To strengthen ties between Oman and India’s travel trade, Oman has organised its Sales Mission in Hyderabad, which brought together industry leaders and tourism professionals from across India. The event saw engaging panel discussions on travel opportunities, strategic networking and relationship-building and insightful presentations showcasing Oman’s unique offerings.

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

To boost tourism revival in Jammu and Kashmir, TAAI launched its ‘Rally for Valley’ campaign, showcasing solidarity and support for the region’s travel industry. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said that the campaign will run for the next three months, till the end of September, with region-wide efforts to regain traveller confidence and strengthen tourism in Kashmir.