Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The 2nd Tamilnadu Travel Expo (TTE) will be held from 26-28 September at IDA Scudder Auditorium, Madurai. Focusing on heritage, wellness and wedding tourism, the event aims to highlight the state’s tourism potential to hotels, tour operators, transport businesses, DMCs, wedding planners and wedding decor professionals. 

Kapil Mishra, Tourism Minister, Delhi Government announced Delhi’s plan to emerge as a global event-management hub, supported by a soon-to-be-launched digital single-window clearance system for event permissions. The move follows a roundtable with industry stakeholders and aims to boost innovation in art, culture, cinema, fashion and destination weddings across the capital. 

The new $250 US ‘visa integrity fee’ has drawn criticism from the trade. Guldeep Singh Sahni, MD, Weldon Tours & Travels, said it burdens genuine travellers. “A family of four must pay an extra $1000, refundable only after 10 years and repay again if visas are renewed. It will impact the tourism numbers.”   

The Centre has approved 40 tourism projects worth ₹3,295.76 crore under the SASCI scheme, including ₹99.14 crore for developing Ram-Kal Path in Nashik. Aimed at upgrading iconic destinations to global standards, the scheme mandates DPRs by states with stakeholder consultations, with project completion targeted within two years. 

SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting has enabled a strategic partnership between Sarovar Hotels and Panda Resorts Pvt Ltd for the development of a new beachfront hotel in Puri, Odisha. The upcoming Sarovar Portico, scheduled to open in 2028, will be positioned as a four-star hotel catering to both leisure and business travellers. The hotel will be located along New Marine Drive, within five kilometres of the Jagannath Temple. The project is set to enhance Odisha’s hospitality offerings, aligning with the state’s broader vision to promote religious, cultural and coastal tourism. With its placement on the Bay of Bengal coastline, the hotel is expected to contribute to regional tourism through improved infrastructure and branded hospitality presence. The partnership was formalised in the presence of Bishnu Panda, Director, Panda Resorts Pvt Ltd; Prasant Nanda, CFO, Panda Resorts Pvt Ltd; Rajesh Ranjan, Senior Vice President – Development, Sarovar Hotels; Ankush Sharma, Director – Development, Sarovar Hotels; and Sandeep Roy, Founder and CEO, SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting Services. Sandeep Roy commented, “Puri deserves landmark hospitality, and this alliance brings a perfect blend of location, legacy and lifestyle.” The deal marks a significant milestone in SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting’s role as a leading advisory firm for hotel brand partnerships and asset repositioning. The company’s local insights and deal-making experience were instrumental in aligning the interests and long-term goals of both parties. The proposed Sarovar Portico, Puri will feature 70 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, conference and banquet facilities, a rooftop grill and bar, swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. Designed to accommodate pilgrims, destination weddings, corporate offsites and inbound travellers, the hotel is expected to serve a wide demographic seeking quality hospitality in the temple town. The project reinforces …

Resorts World Sentosa successfully concluded a FAM trip for the upcoming Singapore Oceanarium, which will open on 24 July. Replacing the S.E.A. Aquarium, the new marine attraction is three times larger and features 22 immersive zones. It offers a captivating journey through ocean history, blending science and storytelling.

Oman Air marks 3 decades of operations on the Muscat-Mumbai route, reinforcing its strong ties with India. Sunil VA, Regional VP for Indian Subcontinent, Oman Air, highlighted India as a vital market, with Mumbai playing a key role. The airline is committed to offering world-class travel experiences & exceptional offering to Indians.

To elevate the modern travel experience, Asego has come up with a new offering ‘Bolt.’ Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego, said, “With Asego Bolt, travellers can now enjoy greater peace of mind and comfort. This latest offering strengthens our position as a frontrunner in innovative travel assistance solutions for global flyers.”

Switzerland Tourism invites travel trade for a webinar on 24 July at 3 pm highlighting Lucerne, a modern-meets-medieval city offering exciting attractions, shopping experience and a vibrant nightlife. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to develop a new upscale hotel, the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Ayodhya Masodha. This greenfield development will feature 120 guest rooms and offer a comprehensive range of amenities, including an all-day dining restaurant, expansive banquet and meeting spaces, a spa, swimming pool, and other premium facilities. Currently in the advanced planning stage, the property is expected to open in 2028.