Category Archives: States

According to HVS Anarock’s latest report, hotel occupancy in India in April 2025 increased by 2 percentage points (pp) from March 2025. In comparison to April 2024, it was up by 4–6 pp.

To strengthen ties between Oman and India’s travel trade, Oman has organised its Sales Mission in Hyderabad, which brought together industry leaders and tourism professionals from across India. The event saw engaging panel discussions on travel opportunities, strategic networking and relationship-building and insightful presentations showcasing Oman’s unique offerings.

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Atithi Gokul Hotel Inns Pvt Ltd (Part of AG Group, Ahmedabad) to develop a new hotel, “Holiday Inn Ahmedabad”. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028, the hotel reflects IHG’s strategy to expand its presence in high-potential markets across India, offering guests trusted, quality hospitality in key urban, commercial and leisure centers. Renowned globally with over 1,200 open hotels, IHG’s Holiday Inn® brand has consistently evolved over the years to meet the needs of modern travellers. Known for its warm and welcoming service that helps guests make the most of their journey and its consistent offerings, the brand remains a preferred choice among both business and leisure travellers. The Holiday Inn brand family has received exceptional response in India and the latest signing reflects a great brand fit for travellers and owners alike. Holiday Inn Ahmedabad, the 150-key hotel will form part of Highline – a mixed use development comprising residential and commercial spaces. Positioned strategically along the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway, will benefit from excellent connectivity to government institutions, educational hubs, corporate offices, and IT parks, making it an ideal choice for business and transient travellers visiting the city. Guests at the hotel will have access to well-appointed rooms and suites, three vibrant dining options including an All-Day Dining restaurant and Lobby Lounge, as well as a ballroom, fitness centre, swimming pool, and ample parking, delivering on the Holiday Inn brand promise of making travel more relaxed and enjoyable. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Gujarat with signing of Holiday Inn …

Sarovar Hotels, in partnership with Ramay LLP, is delighted to announce the signing of Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya, a 129-key upscale hotel. Scheduled to open in 2026, this landmark addition strengthens Sarovar Hotels’ growing footprint in North India . This year, 2025, marks a significant phase for Sarovar Hotels with a total of 20 new signings nationally, reflecting strong momentum in expanding the brand’s portfolio. The Uttar Pradesh portfolio now includes 15 properties, located to support the state’s growing tourism, pilgrimage, and business travel demand. Located in the historic city of Ayodhya, one of India’s most iconic pilgrimage and cultural destinations, Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya will offer guests stays rooted in rich heritage combined with comfortable, thoughtful service. Rajesh Ranjan, Sr. Vice President – Development, Sarovar Hotels said, “We are excited to bring Sarovar’s trusted hospitality to Ayodhya, a city that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. This property is a part of our broader vision to expand thoughtfully in pilgrimage and heritage destinations, offering guests warm and welcoming stays that honor the local traditions. With multiple signings this year, including several in Uttar Pradesh, we are committed to supporting the region’s tourism growth and providing travelers with authentic experiences. We look forward to welcoming guests to Sarovar Premiere Ayodhya in 2026.”

In a move aimed at strengthening its tourism appeal, the Puducherry Transport Department has opened its doors and brought camper vans and caravans under a formal tax structure. This key initiative facilitates the issuance of permits not only for Puducherry-registered vehicles, but also for vehicles from other States, through a convenient tax system for 3, 7 and 30-day durations.

Thailand remains the most searched Asian market by European travellers for the second consecutive year, revealed Agoda. Following closely are Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia, with Vietnam making its debut in the top five. Interestingly, India has also captured growing interest from European travellers, with the UK and the Netherlands ranking among the top source markets searching for accommodation in the country.  

ICRA has revised the outlook on the Indian hospitality industry to stable from positive, considering the expectations of normalised revenue growth of 6-8% in FY2026 on the high base, posted after three years of double-digit revenue expansion seen by the industry over FY2023 to FY2025. It estimates pan-India premium hotel occupancy to hold at 72-74% in FY2026, slightly higher than the 70-72% levels witnessed in FY2024 and FY2025.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, is set to formally inaugurate the border tourism initiative during an upcoming two-day tour beginning at Shipki-La village. This move will allow regulated tourist access to strategically sensitive yet culturally vibrant destinations. The objective is to promote sustainable border tourism while ensuring national security and preserving the unique tribal heritage of the region.

To highlight the cultural, spiritual, and historical richness of Uttar Pradesh, the state’s tourism department will set up a pavilion at the upcoming Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from 26 to 28 August. Positioned as a major international tourism platform, PATA helps tourist boards to attract global footfall.