Category Archives: States

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, revealed plans to develop nine new tourist destinations with multilateral funding. Speaking at ICC Aviation and Tourism Conference, he emphasised shifting from volume to value tourism to ease pressure on saturated hotspots like Gulmarg and Srinagar. “We must move up the value chain,” he said, adding that newer sites would boost sustainable growth and tourist experience.

While speaking at Goa Tourism’s roadshow in Muscat, Oman, Rohan A. Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, said, “Through this roadshow in Oman, we aim to strengthen ties with the Middle East market, inviting travellers and businesses alike to discover Goa’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and growing potential as a holistic tourism destination.”

Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO– South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “In terms of rate dynamics, I foresee continued growth in Average Daily Rates (ADRs) across metros and leisure destinations, despite a possible short-term dip in occupancy during Q2 of FY2025. But other than that, I don’t see any drop in ADRs in India.”

Tourism India Alliance (TIA) is all set to organise Tourism Exchange (TEX) on 10 January 2026 in Odisha. The national-level event aims to be a convergence point for tourism stakeholders, spotlighting innovation, partnerships, and destination marketing. “We aim to foster bilateral tourism and create long-term value for our members in 2025 and beyond,” said Jagdeep Bhagat, President, TIA.

The much-awaited IATO election will be held on 10 May at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi for the posts of President, Senior VP, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Secretary, five EC members (Active) and three EC members (Allied). Ravi Gosain, Director, Erco Travels and Amaresh Tiwari, MD, AT Seasons & Vacations Travel, are contesting for the post of the next President, replacing Rajiv Mehra, the current President.

With a vision to position itself as India’s final frontier for transformative travel experiences, Arunachal Pradesh has unveiled a sweeping new tourism policy and brand identity. TravTalk explores the key takeaways that the travel trade must take note of to leverage the state’s evolving tourism landscape. With a clear vision, investor support, skilled workforce development, and a renewed brand identity, Arunachal Pradesh is ready to emerge as a world-class destination. Experiential Tourism Arunachal Pradesh’s new tourism policy places a strong emphasis on experiential travel, moving beyond traditional sightseeing. The government has identified key focus areas such as Farm Tourism, Wine Tourism, Wellness and Spiritual Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Film Tourism, Ecotourism, Tribal Tourism, MICE Tourism, and Border Tourism. These segments offer travel businesses new ways to craft authentic and immersive itineraries for both domestic and international markets. Skilled Workforce To ensure quality service and empower local communities, the state will prioritise capacity building through skill development programmes. Training will be provided to small businesses and local guides, and partnerships with premier institutes like IITTM and IHM will help formalise education in tourism and hospitality. The introduction of tourism management courses in state institutions will further professionalise the sector. Land Access The new policy is designed to attract investments by streamlining processes and offering infrastructure support. Land banks will be set up at the district level for tourism-related projects, accessible via the state tourism website. A dedicated facilitation cell will be launched to guide investors and resolve queries. Additionally, Arunachal Pradesh will collaborate with Invest India to proactively engage with potential investors in the sector. Bold Branding With a refreshed brand identity and a striking new logo, Arunachal Pradesh is set to …

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.

Maintaining an asset-light strategy, Dusit Hotels & Resorts India’s tally touches 10 hotels with fresh signings in Raipur, Bhiwadi, Kolkata, Lonavala, Kasauli, and Manali. Siradej Donavanik, VP, Global Development, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are aiming for 5-6 operation properties in the coming years and achieving the 3000 keys target in the next 5 years.”

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.

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.”