Page 2 - Tourism Sector

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.

FHRAI seeks GST rationalisation to boost India's tourism competitiveness

FHRAI urges the government to rationalise GST to make India's tourism sector globally competitive, aligning with Vision 2047 and attracting more investment to the economy

MakeMyTrip charts global expansion route, boosts corporate travel focus

Cofounder says growth driven by three engines: Customers, artificial intelligence, and supply

Independence Day long weekend: Hotel occupancy, room rates set to surge

Hotel occupancy rates and room tariffs are set to rise this Independence Day long weekend as travellers across India head to various destinations, major industry players said. Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip told PTI, Independence Day has emerged as a key travel occasion over the years. "This year too, the search and booking trends point to strong intent to travel over the Independence Day weekend. With Independence Day on a Friday, travel demand appears to be peaking two days earlier, on Wednesday (13 August), giving early travellers a five-day window," he shared. According to him, the top trending domestic destinations are Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Puri, Lonavala, Varanasi, Coorg, Mahabaleshwar, Ooty and Pondicherry, while the leading international destinations are Pattaya, Bali, Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, Phuket, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Zurich and London. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the country's biggest hospitality firm, wh

Rajasthan govt signs 1,600 MoUs worth ₹1.37 trillion for tourism push

State targets tourism-led economic growth with mega projects, policy incentives, and job creation through strategic MoU execution

Singapore tourism board partners with IndiGo to boost India travel

The Singapore Tourism Board has signed an initial pact with domestic carrier IndiGo to boost tourism and travel between the two countries, a statement said on Thursday. Under the year-long strategic pact, the two partners will promote the island-city nation as a leading leisure and business destination for Indian travellers and boost bookings through the airline's extensive network, it said. India, according to STB, remains one of Singapore's top three tourism source markets, building on its strong performance in 2024. The collaboration is the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an Indian airline, and IndiGo's first with a national tourism board. In the first half of 2025, Indian visitor arrivals exceeded 5,00,000, supported by excellent air connectivity, as per STB. More than 270 weekly flights connect Singapore to 15 Indian cities via Changi Airport. "As we celebrate 60 years of India-Singapore diplomatic relations in 2025, our expanded collaboration with IndiGo and

Indians opt for skill-based, learning-led holidays over leisure trips

According to Cox and Kings, this segment is expected to grow annually by 15-20 per cent over the next three to five years. These types of trips generally range from 10 to 12 days to over a month

Early monsoon boosts tourism prospects in Rajasthan: Trade experts

According to trade experts, hotels across the state are busy and preparing for the main tourist season, from October to March, as they expect a big rush during this monsoon season

Tourists trickling into Afghanistan, Taliban govt eager to welcome them

By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan, with solo travellers and tour groups gradually venturing into a country that until recently was wracked by war. And the country's Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognised by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them. The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them, Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press in an early June interview. Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them. A potentially lucrative industry Tourism is a vital, multi-billion-dollar industry for many countries. Afghanistan's isolation on the international stage, largely because of the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls, has left much of its 41 million people m

Andamans to expand Blue Flag beaches to boost eco-tourism: Chief secy

To boost beach tourism, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration is planning to expand Blue Flag certifications beyond the already accredited Radhanagar Beach at Swaraj Dweep, popularly known as Havelock, a top official said. Talking to PTI, Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar said, "Five additional beaches have recently been evaluated, aiming to draw more environmentally conscious visitors. We hope to get five more Blue Flag-certified beaches in the islands." Blue Flag is an international eco-label awarded to beaches that meet high criteria for safety, cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. In India, there are 12 such beaches, and the recognition is given by a Denmark-based non-profit organisation known as the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Kumar added, "We are getting a good tourist footfall. Infrastructure upgrades are also progressing, with a new modern 500-passenger terminal jetty at Swaraj Dweep nearing completion." "With a stron

Andaman to get 5-star resorts, yacht marina in tourism overhaul: Chief secy

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar has said that a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to transform the archipelago into a world-class tourism destination. Talking to PTI, Kumar said the ambitious plan focuses on infrastructure development, heritage promotion, eco-tourism, and sustainable growth. Emphasising the strategic importance and unique appeal of the islands, he added, "The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, comprising 836 islands, is a rare blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and adventure tourism. We aim to elevate it to international tourism standards." Kumar said that under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, approvals have been given for the construction of four five-star resorts on select islands, marking a key step towards premium tourism infrastructure. Additionally, a dedicated yacht marina is in the pipeline, with an Expression of Interest (EoI) already floated. "The marina will be instrumental in attracting

Travel industry in turbulence amid worsening West Asia situation

Industry executives said closure of airspaces leading to longer routes and flight times has already led to a 12-15% hike in air fares on some routes

Pahalgam attack wrecks Kashmir tourism; hotels, airlines demand action

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, tourism in Kashmir collapsed, prompting airlines and hotels to urge the Centre for immediate relief to revive the sector

Maldives names Katrina Kaif its global brand ambassador for tourism

The Maldives has assigned actor Katrina Kaif as its global brand ambassador for tourism, said the country's marketing and PR department. The decision comes ahead of PM Modi's arrival to the country

Namma Yatri hits 100 million rides, enables ₹1,600 cr driver earnings

Namma Yatri achieves a landmark 100 million zero-commission rides, generating Rs 1,600 crore for 6 lakh drivers while building an open AI-led mobility infrastructure

IATO urges govt to set up tourism board; seeks ₹1,000 cr budget allocation

IATO has also recommended easier visa processes, which includes expanding the e-visa facility, faster approvals for group tourist visas and considering visa fee waivers for selected countries