Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Underlining Jammu & Kashmir’s new offerings, Omar Abdullah, CM, J&K, says, “Jammu & Kashmir is beyond Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The UT is increasingly becoming a destination for wellness. The destination is not only known for winter tourism and adventure tourism but also for film shoots and videos as well. With better air and road connectivity, we are looking forward to connecting Kashmir to the rest of Indian cities by rail connectivity.”

Speaking about tourism’s role in economic growth, Kandula Durgesh, Tourism Minister, Andhra Pradesh, said, “By the end of 2025, our tourism contribution will be at least 15% of the total employment generation.” The government is focused on infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and sustainability to achieve this ambitious target.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, says, “We want more regional destinations across Britain to feel tourism’s economic benefits. Our recently launched global ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign is using the powerful draw of screen tourism to showcase our vibrant cities, contemporary culture and beautiful coast and countryside, alongside our welcome, encouraging visitors to broaden their itineraries, stay longer and to come now.”

Underlining the state’s strong focus, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte says, “We are pioneering regenerative tourism, going beyond sustainability to focus on culture, environment, and society. By integrating responsible tourism practices, we are creating a model that benefits both travellers and local communities while preserving our heritage.”

As per Indranil Sen, Minister of Tourism, West Bengal, the state has received investment proposals worth ₹5,600 crore in the tourism sector. Apart from these, 70 tourism-related projects will be taken up in the FY2025-26 out of which 38 are in South Bengal. These projects will entail a cost of ₹71 crore.

As per OAG, the Asia-Pacific region is on track to solidify its position in the global aviation market. Its aviation market in 2025 has surpassed 2019’s total capacity by 0.5 per cent in 2024. As APAC’s domestic market outperforms 2019 up 4.7 per cent in 2019; India’s domestic capacity reached 13 per cent ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

Presenting the state budget for 2025-26, Charan Majhi, Chief Minister, Odisha allocated ₹820 crore for tourism, up from ₹800 crore allocated in FY2024-25. The budget focuses on infra development and sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, ₹30 crore has been allocated for Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana.

UAE expanded visa-on-arrival programme for Indians by including travellers with valid visas, residence permits, or Green Cards from 6 more countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand & Canada. The move permits more Indian passport holders to access the facility at UAE entry points.

Delhi: At the prestigious Surajkund International Fair, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is proudly presenting its rich and diverse cultural heritage as the Theme State. Visitors are being offered an immersive experience of the state’s traditional handicrafts, folk music, and authentic local cuisine. On Monday, the fair witnessed captivating cultural performances from Madhya Pradesh, including the inspiring play Baiju Bawra and the theatrical drama Rani Durgavati, both of which left the audience mesmerized. On this occasion, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Mr. Shiv Shekhar Shukla, stated, “Through this grand event, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is further strengthening its commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, ensuring that the state’s unique traditions gain global recognition.” The Surajkund Fair serves as a significant platform for promoting art, crafts, and cultural diversity. Madhya Pradesh Tourism’s participation is enhancing the recognition of the state’s rich traditions on both national and international levels. This international event has already witnessed cultural performances from 31 countries. Among the key highlights on Monday was the play Baiju Bawra, which paid tribute to the legendary music maestro of Madhya Pradesh. The play featured a vibrant portrayal of Baiju Bawra’s contributions to Indian classical music through dance, singing, and dramatized sequences, bringing to life the glorious history of Indian music. Adding to the grandeur of the event, the theatrical presentation of Rani Durgavati paid homage to the valiant queen, a symbol of courage in Indian history. The performance, beautifully blending drama, music, and dance, depicted Rani Durgavati’s fearless battle against invaders, captivating the audience with its powerful storytelling and emotive execution. The Surajkund Mela, renowned as one …

Korea Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, successfully hosted the Korea Tourism Roadshow in Mumbai on 14 February, 2025, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian travel trade and presenting key programs aimed at further boosting Indian tourist arrivals to South Korea. Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, KTO, said: “South Korea’s growing popularity among Indian travellers is a testament to the strong partnership we share with the Indian travel trade. With evolving traveller preferences and increasing demand for unique experiences, we are committed to providing our partners with tailored support, from exclusive training programs to performance-based incentives.” Talking about the Roadshow in Mumbai, Mr. Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “This partnership between OTOAI and KTO has the potential to significantly boost outbound tourism from India to Korea, unlocking opportunities for both travel operators and tourists. With the rising popularity of Korean entertainment in India and the increasing awareness of the country’s rich cultural heritage and unique culinary experiences, Indian tourists are showing greater interest in visiting Korea. Additionally, the growing popularity of Korean beauty products in the Indian market has led to an increase in enquiries for tours that include beauty experiences, further highlighting the diverse interests of Indian travellers. This roadshow was a great opportunity for our members to gain in-depth knowledge of Korea and enhancing their ability to create seamless travel experiences for their clients.” In addition to the MICE Support and Korea Premium Travel Consultant Program, KTO has unveiled the Designated Travel Agency Program, a strategic initiative under the K-Incentive Scheme 3.0, designed to recognize and support travel agencies actively promoting South Korea. Under this program, …