Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Talking about the upcoming Air Transport Summit that will be held in Delhi in June, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said, “Those gathering for the event will be impressed. India’s place in global aviation has changed dramatically over the last decade. With record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments, India is firmly established as the fourth largest market (domestic & international) for aviation in the world. And within this decade IATA’s own projections point to India rising to be the third largest.”

Cruise Professionals invites travel partners to an exclusive Princess Cruises webinar on 14 May at 3 pm. Celebrate 60 years of sailing and discover how to sell Princess Cruises more effectively and gain more. Learn about the new ships, latest offerings, gain expert insights and stand a chance to win exciting prizes during the Q&A! For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 96501 96532. To register, click here.

IATO team led by Ravi Gosain, President met Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister of Odisha, to invite her for the 40th IATO Annual Convention scheduled to be held from 22nd to 25th August 2025 at Swosti Premium Spa & Resorts, Puri. Odisha. IATO delegation included Sanjay Razdan – Vice President, Rajiv Mehra – Immediate Past President, J.K. Mohanty – Chairman, IATO Eastern Region and Gagan Sarangi – Chairman, IATO Odisha Chapter and met the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister. Gosain informed that the Deputy Chief Minister gave her consent to join for the convention and assured her full support and also from the Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha and OTDC. She also mentioned that special arrangements with seamless entry will be made for the IATO delegates to visit Lord Jagannath Temple and beautification of Puri Beach during the convention. She also agreed to our request to host IATO Delegates at Odisha Tourism Development Corporation properties for the post- convention tours. After the meeting, IATO delegation met Mansi Nimbhal, Director (Tourism), Govt. of Odisha to invite for the convention and to seek her support, who assured her full support for the convention. With the support from Odisha Tourism, the 40th IATO Annual Convention is going to be held from 22nd to 25th August 2025 in Puri, Odisha. Odisha is the host state of the convention and besides the host state, we expect Ministry of Tourism and Government of India and 15-18 states presence in the convention. Swosti Premium Beach Resort, Puri will be the venue hotel and all the activities on all the three days i.e. registration for the convention, inaugural function, business sessions and evening programme will …

Madame Tussauds Singapore, operated by Merlin Entertainments, proudly unveils the world’s first wax figure of Indian cinema megastar Ram Charan, immortalised in a first-ever dual celebrity and pet figures —alongside his beloved pet Rhyme. The multi-talented actor came face-to-face with his figure for the first time at Madame Tussauds London, joined by his family and his father, legendary actor Mr. Chiranjeevi. The figure will then make its way to its permanent home at Madame Tussauds Singapore from 20th May 2025 onwards. Ram Charan shared, “When I saw the figure for the first time, I was absolutely stunned. The likeness is unbelievable—from the expression to the stance to the exact detail of Rhyme by my side. It’s like looking in a mirror, and I’m so thrilled that fans around the world will get to experience me up close.” The creation of Ram Charan’s wax figure was a feat of precision and artistry, with many months went into bringing both Ram Charan and Rhyme to life with astonishing detail. Every feature—from the subtle tilt of his head to the lifelike posture of Rhyme—was crafted with care to reflect the actor’s unique personality and calm confidence. Jim Kempton, Principal Sculptor at Merlin Magic Making, commented, “What made this project so special was the chance to capture not just a global film icon, but the deep connection he shares with his dog, Rhyme. We worked closely with Ram to ensure every detail—from his posture and smile to Rhyme’s alert gaze—was perfect. This figure is a celebration of both his star power and his warmth as a person.” Ram Charan is styled in a custom black velvet bandhgala, which he wore at the 2023 Oscars. …

A new chapter in sustainable mountain tourism and urban mobility is about to unfold as Mussoorie Sky Car Private Limited gears up to launch the highly anticipated Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway. This cutting-edge mono-cable detachable gondola system will span 5.2 kilometres and ascend 1,000 meters, dramatically reducing travel time between Dehradun and Mussoorie to just 20 minutes. The construction of its initial phase it planned to be completed by September 2026. Once operational, it will be South Asia’s longest ropeway of its kind and one of the longest in the world—ushering in a new era of tourism, connectivity, and green infrastructure in the region.   Mussoorie Sky Car Private Limited is a consortium comprising three leading players in the urban mobility and infrastructure sectors: FIL Industries Private Limited, POMA SAS, and SRM Engineering LLP.   FIL Industries Private Limited is a diversified business enterprise with interests in agriculture, F&B, tourism, ropeway mobility solutions, and hospitality. It is also India’s largest CEN-certified ropeway operator, and is known for its flagship project, Skyview by Empyrean, which has been operational since 2019 in Sanget–Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir. The ropeway spanning 2.8 km, is currently the highest ropeway in India in terms of ground clearance. Over the years, the mountain harbour has established itself as a benchmark for sustainable mobility and tourism infrastructure in the country.   SRM Engineering LLP brings a robust track record in financing, developing, and operating infrastructure assets across India, France, the UAE, and South Africa. Backed by the promoters of Rahman Group and Hindustan Dock Yard Pvt. Ltd., SRM strengthens the project’s development and execution capabilities.   POMA SAS serves as the project’s technical partner, shareholder, and strategic supplier, reinforcing its …

IndiGo has launched new direct flight services linking Abu Dhabi with two of India’s vibrant cultural cities—Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar. This exciting addition aims to improve international connectivity, offering Indian travellers more options for affordable and convenient global travel. Starting from 12 June, flights between Bhubaneswar and Abu Dhabi will operate three times a week, while the Visakhapatnam-Abu Dhabi route will run four times a week, beginning 13 June.

Hahnair launches a new brand to encompass its new suite of retailing solutions based on NDC (New Distribution Capability). Under the umbrella Distriply by Hahnair, the company will introduce a range of products that will enable airlines and travel agencies to tap into new distribution channels, perfectly complementing the existing Hahnair GDS-based solutions.

The government has decided to lift the Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for several airports across north and north-western India that had been temporarily closed for civilian flights till May 15. Airport Authority of India revoked the suspension, which had led to numerous flight cancellations. The decision was taken post India-Pakistan ceasefire.

Hyatt has signed a management agreement with Krivish Hospitality for the development of Grand Hyatt Indore, which is set to open in 2029. This 11.5-acre luxury property is poised to redefine hospitality standards in Indore, a rapidly growing economic hub of Madhya Pradesh. The hotel will feature 250 opulent rooms and suites catering to both business and leisure travellers.

FHRAI has signed an MoU with the CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) to launch a legal and compliance course tailored for the hospitality industry. K Shyama Raju, President, FHRAI, said, “Understanding the law is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.” The 8-week course aims to equip hoteliers, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals with practical knowledge to tackle regulatory challenges.