Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Rohan A. Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, urged the Centre to extend the visa-on-arrival facilities at both Dabolim and Manohar International Airports, highlighting the state’s rising status as a global tourism hotspot. Speaking at the Legislative Assembly, he said the issue has been raised with the Union Civil Aviation Minister and will soon be taken up with the Home Minister.

Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India, said, “We are set to launch new clubs in Srinagar, Guwahati, Andaman & Nicobar, Calicut, and Pondicherry before the Skål India Congress, slated to happen from 12–14 September in Mumbai. He said the larger goal of expanding to 25 clubs and 2,500 members by 2026, reflecting Skål’s growing influence in India’s tourism network.

This MoU marks the first adoption of OpenAI’s technology by a national tourism organisation in Asia. Through this, STB aims to accelerate the adoption of Advanced AI to enhance visitor experiences, improve productivity, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. STB will also explore potential use cases for advanced AI tools and robotics in real-world tourism settings.

Speaking about the new AI tools, Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder, PickYourTrail, says, “The UI of OTAs hasn’t changed in 20 years. With the rise of agentic browsers like Comet, and tools like ChatGPT Agent that can plug into your Gmail, Drive, Calendar — that layer is evaporating and fast. If you build one more travel AI solution, best of luck! The true moat of travel is in pricing + customer experience at scale.”

India will begin issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from today – July 24, 2025, marking the end of a five-year suspension. In a statement, the Embassy of India in China said that Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment and personally submitting their passport and other documents to the Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Travel agencies are facing growing pressure from fragmented content systems that are increasing operational costs. A new global study commissioned by Sabre reveals that more than 91% of agencies operate with four or more booking systems, and over half are managing seven or more – a sprawl that is impacting productivity, profitability, and agent satisfaction.

ITC Hotels announced the launch of Welcomhotel Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh further expanding its presence across North India. Aligned with the company’s asset-right strategy, the property will be operated under a management contract. Nestled in one of the most ancient and illustrious cities of the world, Welcomhotel Prayagraj epitomises a harmonious convergence of timeless heritage and contemporary elegance, meticulously curated to serve both discerning business connoisseurs and leisure explorers. With the launch of Welcomhotel Prayagraj, ITC Hotels Ltd. now has a presence of 7 properties in the state with 6 more hotels in the pipeline in Uttar Pradesh. Architecturally, a symphony of traditional charm and modern sophistication, Welcomhotel Prayagraj features 60 spaciously appointed rooms & suites- a sanctuary of comfort with sweeping vistas of the city’s storied landscape. The hotel is poised to become the premier venue for destination weddings, intimate gatherings and corporate conclaves with its versatile indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces. Strategically located near the confluence of the revered Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers- an apex of sacred sanctity, the city of Prayagraj stands as a venerable testament to India’s enduring spiritual and intellectual lineage. This locale, offers an ambiance imbued with deep historical resonance and divine tranquillity in India’s culturally rich heartland. Reflecting upon this momentous occasion, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Ltd said, “It is with great pride that we unveil Welcomhotel Prayagraj, in a city of profound cultural and spiritual eminence. This expansion not only fortifies our footprint in Uttar Pradesh but also underscores our dedication to crafting immersive hospitality experiences-celebrating the region’s culture while upholding the highest standards of service excellence. Prayagraj, with its eternal allure and spiritual magnetism, stands as a luminous …

Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne is a modern-meets-medieval city offering numerous excursions, exciting attractions, gourmet cuisine, fantastic shopping, and a vibrant nightlife. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

OTOAI has signed an MoU with VFS Global, enabling members to offer VFS services and earn via a referral model. This strategic partnership enhances benefits for travel agents, tour operators and visa applicants. The collaboration aims to simplify visa access and strengthen India’s position in global tourism facilitation. 

Personalisation is emerging as a growing trend in travel and tourism, particularly within the luxury segment, as travellers increasingly seek experiences tailored to their individual preferences and lifestyles. At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, senior executives from leading hotel groups, including Minor Hotels, Fairmont and Marriott, examined the rising influence of ‘hyper-personalisation’, which moves away from one-size-fits-all services to offering bespoke guest experiences. Leveraging tools such as AI-driven customisation and chatbots, as well as personalised welcome amenities and bespoke dining options, these brands are redefining the customer journey in the luxury travel segment, which is witnessing a continued surge worldwide. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed by ATM in partnership with Tourism Economics, 85% of hoteliers now consider personalisation as a key driver of commercial value, with tailored experiences shown to generate additional revenue of up to 5%. Furthermore, insights by market intelligence firm Future Market Insight Inc, has revealed the global customisation and personalisation in travel market is expected to reach US$620.71 million by 2032