Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

In its continued efforts to position Rajasthan as a premier global destination, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), is making an exclusive and vibrant appearance at the prestigious “Colors of the World Fair” being held from 18 April to 20 April, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. The Rajasthan Pavilion is an immersive celebration of the State’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and warm hospitality. On day one, the Pavilion witnessed a grand opening ceremony and quickly became a hub of activity and attraction. Visitors were welcomed by senior officials from the Department of Tourism, along with the Presidents of FHTR and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), and prominent members of Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO). The delegation also includes renowned hoteliers, travel agents, destination management companies, event professionals, folk artists, and culinary experts. It is to be noted that Rajasthan’s presence stood out with vibrant traditional attire, including saris and turbans, soulful folk music, live culinary experiences, and engaging cultural activities and giveaways. The Pavilion received an overwhelming response from international guests, who were particularly enchanted by the live music performances and the unique opportunity to sample Rajasthani culture firsthand. President of FHTR, Kuldeep Singh Chandela delivered a heartfelt welcome address, setting the tone for Rajasthan’s participation. He, along with Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Punita Singh, also joined an insightful panel discussion on the future of global tourism, engaging with high-ranking tourism officials from across the world. The fair has also highlighted the tremendous tourism potential between Turkiye and Rajasthan, with cultural similarities and …

Ved Khanna, President, ADTOI, expresses confidence in Kashmir’s resilience as a destination. Acknowledging the immediate fallout with a spike in cancellations, he says, “My members in Kashmir have informed me their original bookings stand with people still showing interest in travelling to Kashmir, especially for the Amarnath Yatra in July. We have seen such situations before and Kashmir has always bounced back.”

Speaking of today’s traveller, Anil Parashar, Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Technology Quotient, says, “To my mind, 2025 will be where the customer wants to have the least number of touch points with a one-point contact. Today’s traveller is driven by experiences, and he is going to use a lot of AI. He will use the benefits of the content which is available either through GDS or through direct sales. It’s going to be a new world, and the customer is looking for all solutions under one point.”  

HVS ANAROCK Hotel General Managers Survey captures industry leaders’ perspectives on key trends and opportunities in 2025. This year, ADR remains the top priority for them, especially for business hotels where 70% plan to focus on ADR growth. In contrast, leisure hotels show a more balanced approach, with 58% prioritising occupancy. While business hotels remain anchored in corporate bookings and MICE, and leisure hotels prioritise FITs, weddings and social events are emerging as a significant revenue driver across both segments.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in collaboration with the FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI-IHM) and with the support of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, hosted Harit Yoga – A Signature Event as part of the International Day of Yoga 2025 celebrations. The event took place at the FHRAI-IHM campus in Greater Noida. Bringing together students, hospitality professionals, and wellness advocates, the event celebrated yoga as a powerful tool for harmony, peace, and environmental consciousness. The session was led by expert trainers from Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan, Noida, including Yogacharya Mukta Sharma and Yogacharya Divya Sharma, with support from Yogi Vaibhav, Yogi Rahul, Yogini Nikki, and Yogini Kavita. As part of the celebration, saplings were distributed to participants by Shri S C Suneja and Dr Narendra Kumar, symbolising a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. This act of tree planting underscored the event’s theme and served as a tangible reminder of the connection between personal well-being and ecological health. The gathering commenced with the Common Yoga Protocol and was followed by a series of curated yoga practices, breathing exercises, and guided meditation. Each session aimed to highlight yoga not just as a physical discipline but as a holistic way of life that cultivates mindfulness, balance, and a deeper connection with nature. This year’s theme, “Harit Yoga: Embrace Nature, Embrace Peace,” placed a special emphasis on sustainable living and the role of yoga in nurturing both personal and planetary well-being. Conversations on green practices and lifestyle choices were woven into the programme, encouraging participants to make conscious decisions that align with wellness and ecological balance. Jaison Chacko, Secretary General, FHRAI said, “Yoga is not just about postures or routines. …

According to CAPA insights, as global concerns over sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply persist, Asia is emerging as a key player with new SAF production projects. Energy giants are investing in facilities to meet growing demand. Airlines and governments in the region are setting SAF usage targets, positioning Asia to become a major supplier of aviation fuel globally.

Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier of Vietnam, proudly marked a new milestone today with the successful launch of its upgraded wide-body operations on the Mumbai-Hanoi route. The airline will now operate four weekly flights using the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 aircraft, offering passengers a superior travel experience with enhanced comfort, cutting-edge technology, and greater capacity. The inaugural wide-body flight departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai, amidst much fanfare, featuring a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony and a warm welcome for passengers. Dignitaries, airport officials, and representatives from Vietnam Airlines and its India GSA, Aeroprime Group, were present to celebrate the occasion. Speaking at the launch event, Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India at Vietnam Airlines, said, “We are thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter in our India operations. Upgrading to wide-body aircraft on the Mumbai-Hanoi route underscores our dedication to delivering unparalleled comfort and convenience to Indian travelers. We look forward to welcoming more passengers onboard and strengthening the vital air bridge between India and Vietnam.” This upgrade is a strong testament to Vietnam Airlines’ growing commitment to the Indian market, providing travelers with best-in-class amenities such as spacious full-flat beds in business class, in-flight entertainment across all classes, gourmet meal options including specially curated Indian cuisine, and world-class Vietnamese hospitality. Adding to this, Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, commented, “Vietnam has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for Indian travelers, and with this upgrade, Vietnam Airlines is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand, enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam and setting a new benchmark for travel experience in this sector.” Vietnam Airlines currently operates 14 flights weekly from Delhi …

VFS Global launches its optional CSP Assistance Service for Germany student and vocational training visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi, India, to provide seamless support with registration and submission on the Consular Services Portal. Applicants requiring support with the CSP process can book an appointment to visit our centre for step-by-step support with registration, assistance in completing the online application form and scanning and uploading required documents. VFS Global is the only official and authorised provider providing this service. Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “Many applicants are unfamiliar with online visa application processes and often rely on unauthorised third parties that charge exorbitant fees to complete tasks such as CSP registration, form filling, document scanning, and uploading. To ensure a secure, affordable, and accessible alternative, VFS Global is introducing an optional assistance service at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) designed to assist applicants in navigating the CSP platform with ease.”

Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced the expansion of its non-stop service between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, increasing from 4x weekly flights to daily flights, starting 15 June 2025. This enhancement strengthens connectivity between India and Japan, offering greater convenience for travellers and supporting growing trade and tourism between the two countries.   This move builds on Air India’s recent shift to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (from Narita) on 31 March 2025, which reduced travel time to Tokyo Station to approximately 30 minutes. The daily flights, operated with Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, provide passengers with faster access to central Tokyo, as Haneda Airport is just 18 km from downtown Tokyo.   “Expanding our Delhi-Tokyo Haneda service to daily flights reflects Air India’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for travel between India and Japan,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “This daily service, combined with our deepened codeshare partnership with All Nippon Airways, makes it easier for our guests to explore Japan and connect conveniently to other destinations in the country beyond Tokyo.”   Through Air India’s expanded codeshare with Star Alliance partner All Nippon Airways (ANA), Air India guests can conveniently connect from Tokyo Haneda to six major Japanese cities—Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo—on a single ticket with baggage checked through to their final destination.   The daily flights enable seamless connections to domestic Indian destinations like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune, as well as international routes across Asia and Europe.   The updated flight schedule, effective 15 June 2025, is as follows: AI358: Departs Delhi (DEL) at 2020 Hrs, arrives Tokyo Haneda (HND) at 0755 Hrs next day (daily). …

New GBTA poll shows nearly one-third of global travel managers expect a 21% drop in 2025 business travel, citing US tariffs, entry restrictions and cross-border risks. Just 44% foresee no impact, while suppliers are more cautious, only 25% predict stability. With spending forecast at $1.63 trillion, a projected 20% cut could slash $88 billion from global travel budgets.