Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

VFS Global is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as the destination representation partner for CzechTourism in India to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions. Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination. Travelers from India can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travellers to explore the country’s extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travellers from India. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Indian visitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travellers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.” Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in India. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade …

Los Angeles Tourism invites you to the third and final webinar in its exclusive travel trade series today at 3 PM IST. Stay updated with the latest insights on the city’s vibrant attractions, experiences, and travel offerings. Those attending all three webinars will qualify for a special prize! For more info or to register, contact at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Emphasising that domestic tourism continues to be Radisson Hotel Group’s (RHG) growth driver, now accounting for 90–95 per cent of business post-COVID. Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO– South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Inbound travel is gradually picking up, with the group actively collaborating with GoI to further develop this segment.”

According to the Union Ministry of Culture, the Taj Mahal has emerged as the highest-earning monument with a revenue of ₹98.7 crore in ticket sales during FY24. The earnings from the Taj Mahal accounted for a substantial chunk of the total ₹198.07 crore generated by all ASI-protected monuments in the same period.

Speaking at a hospitality event, Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash Travel Services, said, “India is an emerging source market for sports tourism. The global sports tourism market was valued at US$600 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18 per cent from 2023 to 2023.”

As per MMGY Travel Intelligence, the United States and Europe are the most popular global destinations for Indian. 83 per cent of Indians expressed strong interest in visiting these regions in the next 12 months. However, 80 per cent of Indians preferred Asia making it the 3rd most popular choice.  

Indian Millennials took an average of 3.5 international trips in the past three years, making them the most travelled generation, according to MMGY. Meanwhile, Gen Z travellers are setting the pace for future spending, with a 14.2% projected increase in travel budgets, indicating that younger Indians are prioritising travel.

Aloke Singh, MD, Air India Express, said Indian carriers’ capасity is set to outpace demand, potentially leading to lower fares. The airline will add about 15 aircraft in the 2025-26 fiscal year. This 45% capacity increase is expected to raise monthly passenger numbers to 2.5 million from 2 million next year.

According to a report by Phocuswright, Indian OTAs are exploring new revenue streams by offering travel ancillaries and white-label solutions to banks, retailers and loyalty programmes. As more non-travel brands enter the space, OTAs are enabling easy integration through plug-and-play systems.

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism has introduced a new policy to support homestays across the state. Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona said, “We will give incentives to homestays that are running well.” The government is also partnering with platforms like Airbnb and MakeMyTrip to increase bookings, he added.