Travel
Travel industry packs its bags for a festive takeoff
The GST cuts on hotel tariffs and dining are expected to boost the travel and hospitality industry during the festive season, following a weak first quarter impacted by various incidents. With reduced prices, companies like Treebo anticipate increased bookings, aligning with the peak travel period of Navaratri and Diwali.
TBO to acquire US luxury travel firm Classic Vacations for $125 million
TBO, a Gurugram-based travel distribution company, has agreed to acquire Classic Vacations from The Najafi Companies for $125 million. This acquisition combines TBO’s technology platform with Classic Vacations’ luxury travel advisor network. Classic Vacations reported $111 million in revenue and $11.2 million in operating EBITDA for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
India can be No 1 tourist destination: Radisson Hotel CEO Federico Gonzalez at ET WLF
Radisson Hotel Group CEO Federico J. Gonzalez believes India has the potential to become a leading global tourist destination, offering unforgettable experiences. He emphasizes the need for a well-structured plan with investments in marketing, infrastructure, and training. Gonzalez also highlights Radisson's significant presence in India, making it a key player in the country's hospitality sector.
NITI Aayog suggests single-window clearance system for homestay registration to boost tourism
NITI Aayog suggests simplifying homestay registration with a single-window system. The report emphasizes destination-focused financial incentives. A central nodal agency is proposed for better coordination. Collaborative marketing will highlight unique regional offerings. The homestay market reached Rs 4,722 crore in 2024. Domestic tourism drives sector recovery. Homestays offer significant economic potential for India's growing tourism sector.
Emaar Entertainment appoints MakeMyTrip as India partner for Dubai's iconic attractions
MakeMyTrip has become the official Indian partner for Emaar Entertainment. Now, Indians can easily book Dubai's famous attractions like Burj Khalifa through MakeMyTrip. This partnership brings Emaar's experiences to MakeMyTrip's new Tours & Attractions platform.
Wed-in-India: Why are Indian couples going swadeshi?
Prime Minister Modi’s “Wed in India” call is reshaping the wedding market as affluent and middle-class families increasingly choose Indian destinations over foreign locales. Hotels in Rajasthan, Goa, Corbett and hill stations are reporting record bookings. Rising luxury supply, eco-luxury trends, and state-backed policies are driving the boom, making India a global hub for destination weddings.
MakeMyTrip launches feature to simplify booking of homestays, hotels around national parks
MakeMyTrip has launched a new AI-powered feature to streamline hotel and homestay bookings near over 100 national parks in India. The platform maps over 2,000 properties to park zones, providing key information like operational hours, entry protocols, and transport routes. This initiative addresses the challenge of finding suitable accommodation near specific entry gates, enhancing the travel experience for nature enthusiasts.
US, Bangladesh, UK top list for tourist arrivals in India in last 5 years: Govt
Data shared by the government reveals that the US, Bangladesh, the UK, Australia, and Canada were the leading source countries for Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India over the past five years.
India should position weddings, MICE as niche tourism segment: Government official
A senior Union Tourism Ministry official suggests Kochi should prioritize weddings and MICE tourism as a distinct segment. Suman Billa highlighted Kerala's potential to become a leading venue, advocating for dedicated microsites on tourism portals. The state boasts excellent infrastructure and a green-friendly approach, with a potential business opportunity worth Rs 1 lakh crore.
FAITH Conclave 2025 charts unified roadmap for $3 trillion Indian tourism economy by 2047
The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality has concluded its FAITH Conclave 2025. The event highlighted tourism as a strategic diplomatic pillar. Focus is on raising tourism's GDP share. A roadmap to build a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047 has been unveiled. The plan aims to attract 100 million inbound tourists. It also targets 20 billion domestic visits.
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Shravan 2025 saw record breaking pilgrim turnout: Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh
Uttar Pradesh witnessed an unprecedented surge in religious tourism during the Shravan month of 2025, with temples like Mankameshwar and Budheshwar experiencing record-breaking pilgrim numbers. Varanasi's Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham saw a 10% increase in footfall, solidifying UP's position as a leading religious tourism hub.
India's tourism sector sector has the unique power to create jobs like no other: FAITH chairman Puneet Chhatwal
Federation of Associations in Tourism and Hospitality is preparing to host a national tourism conclave in New Delhi. The event will occur on August 12th and 13th. FAITH aims to promote sustainable tourism development. They envision a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047. The conclave will focus on job creation and India's global tourism ranking.
Growing trend: Indian travelers embrace festival-centric trips fueled by social media
Fueled by social media and FOMO, Indian travelers are increasingly drawn to trips centered around festivals and carnivals worldwide. Travel companies are curating diverse itineraries, incorporating local culture and gastronomy, to cater to this growing demand. From Oktoberfest in Germany to the Rann Utsav in Gujarat, festival tourism is becoming a major driver.
Gen Z’s travel agent? It’s a bot with better ideas
The Indian tourism industry is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by AI, digital payments, and mobile-first platforms, particularly among younger travelers. This shift is prompting travel companies to enhance their technology to meet the demand for speed, flexibility, and personalized experiences. The rise of UPI and EMI options further fuels spontaneous travel by easing financial burdens.
MakeMyTrip launches multilingual GenAI Trip Planning Assistant, making travel booking conversational and inclusive
MakeMyTrip has introduced a GenAI-powered Trip Planning Assistant named Myra, designed to revolutionize travel booking. Myra offers conversational assistance in multiple Indian languages, enabling users to plan and book trips seamlessly via voice and text.
You can plan a holiday just by talking to your phone
MakeMyTrip has introduced a new AI-powered Trip Planning Assistant, an upgrade to Myra, designed to support users throughout their travel journey. This conversational tool simplifies holiday planning and booking, especially for those comfortable with Hindi and other Indian languages.
