Tourism Sector

Higher spending but fewer visitors: India must fix its tourism strategy

India ranks 39th on the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, performing strongly on natural and cultural resources

Tourists flock to Rajasthan as Delhi chokes on post-Diwali pollution

Hotel occupancy is hovering between 70 and 80 per cent, out of which domestic tourists account for 95 per cent

Foreign tourist arrivals on the rise but shy of 2019 peak as season begins

Winter travel will test India's return to the global travel map

'All tourist accommodation providers in Sikkim must contribute to TSD fund'

The Sikkim government has ordered all tourist accommodation providers in the Himalayan state to contribute to the Tourism Sustainable Development (TSD) fund, an official said. The Tourism and Civil Aviation department of the state government, in an order, directed all tourist accommodation providershotels, resorts, homestays, bed and breakfast establishments, and service apartmentsto contribute Rs 50 per tourist to the TSD fund or face punitive action, the official said. Accommodation providers collect Rs 50 fee from each tourist during check-in and remit it to the government, which monitors the payment through the Atithi Guest Information System. The Sikkim government started collecting money under the Tourism Sustainable Development Fund in March 2025 to support sustainable tourism development, including improving tourism infrastructure and facilities like roads and connectivity. Additional Director, Tourism, Tenzing Gelay Bhutia said that it has come to the notice of the departm

Budget 2026: Tourism & hospitality sector reiterate demand for infra status

Simplified visa process, increased marketing spend to boost FTAs

Maharashtra to set up 'Namo Tourism Centres' at four heritage forts

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved the establishment of four 'Namo Tourism Information and Facility Centres' at prominent heritage forts in the state to boost regional tourism infrastructure and provide modern amenities to visitors. The centres will come up at Raigad, Pratapgad, Shivneri and Salher forts under the Regional Tourism Development Scheme for 2025-26, according to a government resolution (GR). The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the project, of which Rs 5 crore will be released initially to the Directorate of Tourism for implementation. "The Namo Tourism Centres will become an integral part of Maharashtra's tourism landscape and help visitors access heritage sites comfortably," a senior official said, adding that the government intends to expand the initiative to 75 tourist locations in future phases. Each Namo centre is expected to serve as a one-stop information and service point for visitors, showcasing the site's .

Goa to enforce uniform rates, stricter rules for watersports operations

Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has said the government will implement uniform rates, standardised kiosks, and stricter enforcement to streamline watersports operations in coastal areas to provide the best possible experience to tourists in the state. After chairing a meeting with stakeholders concerning the tourism industry on Wednesday, he said watersports activities have been a traditional source of livelihood for Goans. With time, we must ensure that regulations and transparency are maintained to provide the best possible experience for tourists, he said. The minister said the state has notified the rates proposed by watersports associations in an official gazette. Uniform rates for watersports across Goa from North to South have been finalised and will be implemented by all associations to ensure consistency, he said, adding that the move will prevent overcharging and bring parity across beaches. Khaunte said the government will clamp down on the illegal sale of watersport

Hospitality, real estate, MSME solar financing to drive growth: TFCI MD

TFCI eyes ₹2,000 crore disbursement in FY26, driven by booming hotel and real estate funding, and plans to enter MSME solar finance and tourism-focused AIF

Andamans witnessed 200% rise in domestic tourism post-Covid: Lt. Guv Joshi

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi has said tourism in the archipelago witnessed a massive surge in post-Covid years. Addressing a tourism conclave at Udaipur in Rajasthan on Tuesday, the Lt. Governor said, "I would like to highlight that there has been a post-COVID tourism resurgence in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with domestic arrivals rising nearly 200 per cent and international tourists up 157 per cent since 2022." "The Andaman and Nicobar administration is poised to set three Guinness World Records in diving to position the islands as a premier scuba diving hub in the Indian Ocean Region," he said. He added that there are plans to develop unique diving circuits around the Button Islands (North/South/Middle Andaman), Barren Island (South Asia's only active volcano), and the pristine beaches of Swaraj Dweep. The Lt. Governor informed about the core strategic initiative for Heritage Tourism Circuit encompassing National Memorial sites, which includ

Hospitality, travel sectors see high demand ahead of long Diwali weekend

Hospitality and travel services providers are witnessing robust demand this festive season in the run-up to the long Diwali weekend, registering strong bookings across urban and leisure destinations, with intercity bus services occupancy levels even touching 95-100 per cent. With the GST reform acting as a key driver for mid-scale hotels and mid-market domestic customers, making it easier for travellers to explore lesser-known destinations, Hotel Association of India (HAI) President K B Kachru said early trends show higher hotel occupancy, reflecting the excitement of travellers celebrating festivals with family, friends, and leisure getaways. "Booking patterns this season highlight travellers' preference for convenience, flexibility, and curated experiences. Many hotels are reporting growing interest in premium and experiential stays, signalling a shift toward immersive travel that blends leisure, culture, and wellness," he said. Kachru, who is also Chairman- South Asia, Radisson .

Tourism sector expected to grow with more than 25% CAGR: Gajendra Shekhawat

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday said the tourism sector contributes Rs 20 lakh crore to India's GDP, and is expected to grow at a rate of more than 25 per cent. "Tourism now contributes over Rs 20 lakh crore to our national GDP. It provides livelihood to more than 84 million people," he said, addressing the 'MP Travel Mart', an event organised by the Madhya Pradesh tourism department. "India welcomed 20 million inbound tourists last year, and 2.94 billion tour trips were made by domestic travelers. Tourism sector in India is estimated to grow with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of more than 25 per cent," he added. "These numbers tell a deeper story. The story of empowerment. Artisans finding new markets, families running home-stays, women entrepreneurs creating eco retreats, local youths becoming confidant guides and hosts," the tourism minister said. At the heart of this transformation lies the belief that tourism is a national priority, not an ..

IATO urges government to strengthen global promotion of India tourism

Tour operators seek tourism attaches, global campaigns, and a unified Incredible India strategy to revive foreign tourist arrivals and attract new markets

'Diwali travel surges as Indians mix celebrations with faith, getaways'

India is witnessing a record surge in festive travel this Diwali, as travellers combine traditional celebrations and family reunions with luxury escapes and spiritual journeys, with online travel platforms reporting strong growth in domestic and international bookings, according to experts. MakeMyTrip co-founder and Group CEO Rajesh Magow said visiting friends and relatives (VFR) remains the biggest driver of festive season travel, as many Indians head back to their hometowns to celebrate Diwali. "Therefore, of the top 10 most booked destinations, five are metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. This year, with the festival falling early in the week, many travellers are booking their trips as early as the preceding Friday to enjoy extended festivities. "We are also observing a rise in demand for pilgrimage destinations, reflecting how families are combining festive reunions with spiritual journeys," he noted. In terms of international travel, short-haul destination

International travel, tourism to support 90 million new jobs by 2035: WTTC

The international travel and tourism sector will support 9.1 crore new jobs in the next 10 years, accounting for one in every three jobs created globally, according to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 4.3 crore people if left unaddressed, says the report, Future of the Travel and Tourism Workforce', which focused on 20 economies. The Council works with governments on issues of the travel and tourism industry, and is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of the sector. The report, released at the 25th WTTC Global Summit in Rome recently, is based on extensive global research, including a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with the tourism body's members and other key stakeholders, a release said. In 2024, demand for travel and tourism was stronger than it has ever been. The sector's GDP contribution grew 8.5 per cent to reach .

Rajasthan govt plans to boost tourism in lesser-known destinations

The official said that tourism infrastructure plays a vital role in shaping the tourists' experience as it serves as a fundamental element of their overall enjoyment of a destination

MakeMyTrip inks pact with Vietnam's Sun Hospitality to expand offerings

The tie-up comes as Vietnam emerges among the fastest-growing destinations for Indian tourists, driven by rising demand and easier visa access

Festive demand strong, but overall growth seen muted this year: Cleartrip

Festive cheer is set to lift India's travel industry this year, with strong demand from Gen Z travellers and a surge in spiritual tourism expected to drive bookings, even as overall growth faces headwinds from recent incidents and geopolitical tensions, a top Cleartrip executive has said. "The beginning of the year was very strong with January, February and March accounting for unprecedented growth, in terms of yields, and it was an excellent time for the industry as a whole. "However, in June and July, we saw disruption following geopolitical tensions and the unfortunate Air India crash, which resulted in a moderation of growth. The industry has been flat over the last four months in terms of domestic flying numbers, and the yields have also tanked," Cleartrip Chief Growth and Business Officer Manjari Singhal told PTI. However, there has been a reversal in demand since the second half of August, as a result, overall growth is likely to remain muted, she added. These bookings are .

GST cut next level of reform; 2025 a tricky year for investors: Vijay Kedia

The GST reforms could revive consumption-driven sectors like automobiles, FMCG, and discretionary goods, which have been under pressure, says Kedia

Climate change drives rise of 'coolcations' as tourists flee heatwaves

Heatwaves forced closures of sites like the Acropolis and Eiffel Tower, with Europe facing a growing tourism divide as climate change impacts north and south differently

Niti Aayog's recommendations aim to streamline homestay regulations

Niti Aayog proposes a model policy framework to make homestays and BNBs more accessible and to promote tourism growth through simplified registration processes and incentives.