Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Serena Hotels Africa, the premier collection of award-winning safari lodges and camps, city hotels and beach resorts across East and Southern Africa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership ARK Travel Group. As the official representative for Serena Hotels in India, Anjum Lokhandwala, Director, ARK Travel Group, will spearhead efforts to connect discerning Indian travellers with premium travel experiences in East Africa. Through this partnership, Serena Hotels Africa will now offer Indian families, honeymooners, wildlife enthusiasts, and premium travellers an insider gateway to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond. A Bridge Between Continents From the cosmopolitan charm of Nairobi Serena Hotel to the historical shores of Zanzibar Serena Hotel  in Stone town, and the majestic wilderness of Kirawira Serena Camp in Tanzania.  Indian travellers will now have unprecedented access to handpicked journeys within the Serena Hotels unforgettable itineraries, which fuse cultural depth with world-class service. “India is not just a growing outbound travel market—it’s a community that appreciates heritage, family, and the richness of storytelling, all of which Serena embodies,” said Lokhandwala. “My goal is to help Indian travellers reimagine East Africa—not just as a destination, but as a soul-stirring experience. With Serena Hotels, we are offering more than premium getaways; we are offering journeys that leave an imprint.” A United Vision Ashish Sharma, CEO of Serena Hotels Africa, expressed confidence in the new partnership: “Anjum Lokhandwala brings unmatched insight into the Indian travel landscape. With her at the helm, we assure our Indian travellers a seamless brand experience. Joyce Wangui, Director of Sales, added: “Indian travellers are looking for more than sightseeing—they want immersive stories and meaningful connections. Through Anjum’s contribution, we are curating experiences that blend refinement with the …

Centre has given administrative and financial sanction for two major projects with a total outlay of  ₹169.05 crores for enhancing the tourist appeal of water tourism in Alappuzha and the Malampuzha Garden in Palakkad. Both the projects were submitted by the Kerala tourism department, seeking clearance under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

At the Travel Wedding Show, Harkaran Singh, General Manager, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, emphasised on collaboration between hoteliers and wedding planners. “The main challenge arises when we are not on the same page. When we collaborate, the process is smooth and enjoyable. But when we find ourselves on opposite sides, that is when difficulties arise. Mutual respect is key, hoteliers must acknowledge the challenges wedding planners face, and vice versa,” Singh stated.

From 1 May 2025, non-Thai travellers entering Thailand by air, land, or sea will be required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. Designed to enhance efficiency, security and convenience, the TDAC aims to eliminate the hassle of paper forms improving the overall travel experience for millions of visitors.

The Delhi High Court recently ruled that payment of service charges at restaurants and hotels cannot be imposed as a mandatory charge on customers’ food bills. It dismissed the petitions filed by restaurant associations challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines, prohibiting restaurants and hotels from automatically adding a service charge to customers’ bills.

Vietjet operated two special relief flights, VJ2875 and VJ2877, using an Airbus A330 and an A321 to transport Vietnamese rescue teams to Myanmar following the devastating earthquake. In support of the emergency response, the airline facilitated the swift deployment of relief personnel from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defense. The two flights departed from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to Yangon on March 30. Vietjet ensured the rapid deployment of these flights by expediting flight permits and technical preparations. Its experienced crew and staff have been assigned to assist the relief mission, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to humanitarian aid. The flights transported 106 rescue and relief personnel from the Vietnamese armed forces, along with trained search-and-rescue dogs and over 60 tons of essential aid supplies, including medical equipment and food, to support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. Vietjet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong said: “Vietjet is always ready for special missions. We swiftly completed all necessary preparations and successfully operated two flights to transport emergency rescue teams from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense to Myanmar, providing timely support for earthquake relief efforts.” Upon landing at Yangon Airport, Myanmar, rescue personnel from the Vietnamese armed forces, alongside Vietjet staff, immediately begin unloading and transporting essential supplies to designated relief sites. Police and military officers also take part in search-and-rescue operations, provide medical assistance, and support recovery efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake. A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, causing widespread devastation. The disaster has claimed over 1,600 lives, injured nearly 3,500 people, and left hundreds missing. Strong tremors damaged homes, collapsed bridges, and disrupted roads across the …

LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts launches 8fold, a new brand in the mid-market segment to service a burgeoning set of upper middle class travellers looking for comfortable, sustainable and affordable accommodation in the price range of INR 4,000-9,000 per night. The recently formed hospitality company, LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts, currently operates 32 unique hotels across India and beyond, creating a collective portfolio of diverse hotels, resorts and villas. These hotels are managed and marketed under three brands: LaRiSa Resorts, AM Hotel Kollection and it is now expanding its footprint and addressing this exponential demand with 8fold. The first three to be introduced under this brand are 8fold by LaRiSa Shimla, 8fold by LaRiSa, Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh, 8fold Pinecrest by LaRiSa Bhimtal in Uttarakhand and the fourth 8fold by LaRiSa, Siolim in Goa will open shortly. The launch of the 8fold mid-market brand comes at an opportune time as travellers are now reflecting a shift towards mindful and purposeful travel by seeking properties that offer privacy, follow sustainable practices, unique experiences and wellness. Recent reports on the Indian hospitality industry have also indicated a rapidly growing mid-market segment which is about quality stays and value-driven offerings. Priya Thakur, Founder and CEO LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts, commenting on the launch of the new mid market brand said: “8fold by LaRiSa is not just about boutique stays—it’s about reimagining hospitality through a lens of mindfulness, integrity, and guest-first service. Welcome to a hotel experience that values authenticity as much as guest comfort”. As innovators in the hospitality business, the company has been successful in operating luxury and boutique hotels. By the end of 2025 it hopes to have at least 50 hotels across …

Turning its vision into reality, Balitrip Wisata grew into a 100-employee entity across India & Bali. Dhiraj Ranjan Kumar, Founder & MD, Bali trip Wisata, said, “Building a team of this scale was never easy, but we did it with passion, right policies & integrity. This achievement is about the strength, dedication, & trust we built with our partners.”

Amanveer Singh, MD, TEN Events & Entertainment, said, “If a room is sold for ₹1.4 lakh it may be listed at ₹40k with 10 per cent commission on that. Breakfast charges might be deducted & 60 to 80 per cent of the revenue goes toward food, rentals and other expenses. The distribution of earnings must be fair & commissions should apply to total revenue.”

Padmapani Bora, MD, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, said, “As Assam witnessed rise in tourist footfall, the state government is actively working on increasing large-scale concerts to attract music lovers and cultural enthusiasts. By hosting these events, the state aims to draw visitors from across the country and beyond.”