Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

In a significant step towards academic excellence, the Assam down town University (AdtU) join hands with VFS Global Academy to introduce two dynamic programmes in travel and tourism. The university will offer a BBA in Travel & Tourism Management and a Master’s in Travel & Tourism Management, aiming to prepare students for the rapidly growing global travel and tourism sector.

To showcase the State’s top attractions, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Experience Center officially inaugurated at KidZania Mumbai, with a simultaneous launch at KidZania Delhi NCR, offering children a unique opportunity to engage with the heart of India in an immersive and interactive setting. The initiative not only provides entertainment but also fosters holistic Skill Development among children.

Sabre Corporation’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru has completed 20 years. At an exclusive media event held at the GCC, Rency Mathew, Managing Director, Sabre Bengaluru & People Leader, South Asia, said, “By investing in advanced AI, cloud, data science, and our people, we will continue to deliver measurable, strategic value that drives both top-line growth and operational efficiency.”

Federation of Associations in Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) is set to hold the National Tourism Conclave on 4 – 5 June in New Delhi. Puneet Chhatwal, Chairman, FAITH, said, “The two-day conclave will discuss the tourism roadmap for 2030, which will serve as the building block for a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, aligned to the vision of Viksit Bharat, as envisaged by the Prime Minister of India.”

Oyo is entering the food and beverage (F&B) market, aiming to increase hotel revenue by 5-10 per cent by introducing in-house kitchens and quick service restaurant (QSR) concepts across 1,500 of its company-services hotels by FY26. This initiative, called ‘Townhouse Cafe,’ will offer in-house dining options, pantry-style setups, and quick service carts. 

Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Jabalpur, marking the brand’s entry into Madhya Pradesh’s thriving commercial and cultural hub, Jabalpur. The launch marks a significant milestone as the city’s first internationally branded hotel, bringing Hilton’s globally recognised brand to the region. The 101-room new-build property has been developed in partnership with Ajay Satya Prakash Hospitality LLP.

Starting from May 2025, India will issue chip-based biometric e-passports, which  will feature RFID chip containing biometric data with the aim to enhance security and reducing fraud. The announcement marks the formal transition of India into the league of technologically advanced nations like Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who have already adopted biometric-based travel documents to bolster security and efficiency.

As per HVS Anarock April 2025 report, Indian hotels’ occupancy growth trends in March 2025 showed a mixed pattern across key Indian markets, with Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram emerging as the top gainers. However, strong year-on-year Average Room Rate (ARR) growth (₹9,000–₹9,200) was recorded with Hyderabad at the top.

As per IATA’s global passenger demand report of March 2025, international demand rose to 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024. Additionally, capacity was up by 7 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was recorded 79.9 per cent. Domestic passenger demand rose 0.9 per cent compared to March 2024.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India, emphasised on the critical role of the MICE and exhibition industry in boosting tourism and the wider economy. “Studies and analysis suggest that a business traveller attending an exhibition often spends significantly more than a leisure tourist over seven days. This is a clear signal that we stand at the threshold of a sector brimming with immense opportunities,” he added.