Page 3 - Tourism Sector

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

Indian tourism sector to contribute 10% to India's GDP by 2030: Shekhawat

Tourism minister says rising aspirations, infrastructure and policy support will drive India's tourism sector towards 10% GDP share by 2030, in line with global benchmarks

Indian Hotels CEO highlights high taxes hurting tourism sector growth

India holds immense potential to attract foreign tourists, but it is lagging severely, Indian Hotels Company Limited MD and CEO Puneet Chhatwal said on Friday, asserting that high tax rates were a key impediment in creating global brands for the country's hospitality sector. He also sought an "additional push" while referring to the "infrastructure" status accorded to 50 tourist destinations in this year's Budget and reiterated the long-standing demand for an "industry" status. Alluding to the lack of competitive advantage in terms of margins, the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) MD and CEO said, "If you are the highest taxed sector in every possible way, GST, excise, paying all charges during COVID when your business is shut with the least amount of budget for promotion, for marketing the destination and just relying on what we have, then how are you going to create those kind of global brands on your own". Speaking at CII's Annual Business Summit, Chhatwal said India is not ju

Why General Munir may have seen Kashmir normalcy as a threat to 'destiny'

The April 22 Pahalgam attack may be rooted in a deeper anxiety inside GHQ Rawalpindi, where Kashmir's peace disrupts the old script of rebellion and resistance

India set to emerge as 'MICE capital' of world: Tourism minister Shekhawat

Emphasising on the construction of state-of-the art exhibition and conference complexes in various parts of the country, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday said India is all set to emerge as the "MICE capital" of the world. MICE or 'Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions' refers to business and tourism driven by mega events. "After 2014, India has shown a tremendous growth curve in infrastructure, be it the construction of roads spanning over 1,50,000 km, new railway stations, semi high-speed trains, inland waterways and more than 150 operational airports. All these have contributed to India's prowess with regard to MICE events," Shekhawat said. "The confidence was also built following India's hosting of the G20 Summit. The entire world is now looking at India with awe and curiosity. In times to come, India will emerge as the MICE capital of the world," the minister said. Shekhawat was addressing a gathering at the inaugural session of a two-day ev

Over 50 tourists from Goa stuck in J&K after terror attack: Officials

More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, officials said on Wednesday. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others, according to officials. The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty. After the incident, all visitors were transported from Pahalgam and other places to hotels in Srinagar, a Goa government official said. More than 50 persons from Goa were currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding that "all are safe". Efforts were on to bring them back, the official said. Tour operators from Goa were also working out plans to bring all tourists back f

India's travel & tourism sector to grow 7% over next 10 years: WTTC

The travel and tourism in India offers an extraordinary opportunity with the sector expected to grow by 7 per cent in the next ten years, World Travel & Tourism Council President and CEO Julia Simpson said on Wednesday. In her video message to the India Travel & Tourism Sustainability Conclave 2025 here, she said the contribution of travel and tourism to the Indian economy is soon expected to reach global average of 10 per cent. "In India, 7 per cent of the Indian economy depends on travel and tourism. The global number is 10 per cent and I know the way India is growing at the moment that you will soon be getting to that sort of number," Simpson said. She further said, "The large numbers we talked about it was worth about 230 billion US dollars and what was interesting is, over the next 10 years, we're expecting travel and tourism in India to grow by 7 per cent. This is an extraordinary growth opportunity." Simpson also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for investing in ...

EaseMyTrip CEO, Italy's Deputy PM discuss strengthening tourism corridors

He further stated that they also discussed the growing interest of Indian students in studying abroad and the potential for investments in Italy's hospitality sector

Taj Mahal tops ASI ticket revenue list for five years straight: Govt

Mughal-era mausoleum Taj Mahal was the top earning ASI-protected monument through ticket sales in the last five years, according to data shared by the government. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the data in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He was asked the amount that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has received from selling entry tickets to various monuments in the last five years, year-wise and monument-wise; and the monuments that have received the highest income through sale of entry tickets in the last five years. In his response, the minister shared the data in a tabular form for cycles of financial years ranging from FY19-20 to FY23-24. According to the data, Taj Mahal earned the top slot for all five years. The Mughal-era architectural wonder was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century and it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. In FY19-20, the Agra Fort in Agra and Qutu

Rajasthan govt to establish tourism fund with Rs 5,000 cr allocation

The fund, to be called the Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund (RTICF)

Israel anticipates more Indian tourists amid possible easing tensions

As gunfire echoed and smoke filled the air, a steadfast stream of pilgrims from Kerala made its way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israel. Undeterred by the region's unrest, these devotees undertook a journey to the Holy Sepulchre, which houses Christ's tomb, driven by faith. For centuries, Christians worldwide have flocked to this revered site, and for Keralites, especially Christian faithfuls, its appeal remains strong. The data from the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) reveals that 9,600 Indian tourists visited Israel in 2024, with 50 per cent of them travelling for pilgrimage--most of them from Kerala. According to an IMOT spokesperson, in the current scenario, Israel expects more pilgrim tourists from Kerala. "We are expecting around 70,000 tourists travelling to Israel from India this year, and of this, 48 per cent are pilgrims," Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT-India told PTI. All the tourist attractions are completely safe, and the safety of tourists i

Some Europeans reconsider trips to US in protest against Donald Trump

Europeans splashed $155 billion on travel to the United States in 2023, according to EU figures, while transatlantic travel has bolstered earnings for airlines

Japan's youth abandon tourism jobs amid low wages, harsh work culture

According to a study, Japan's tourism boom is at risk as severe labour shortages hit the hospitality sector

India adds six properties to tentative list for Unesco recognition

A set of six properties -- including some considered serially, such as Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states -- have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre. These sites were added to the list on March 7, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a statement. India at UNESCO shared the statement on microblogging site X, late on Thursday. Addition to the World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future, it said. The six properties added to the tentative list include Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh; Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana; serial nomination of Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (multiple states); serial nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples (multiple states); serial nomination of Gupta Temples in north India (multiple states), and the palace-fortresses of the Bundelas in Mad

Nearly 24.4 mn tourists visited state in last 4 yrs: Assam tourism minister

Assam Tourism Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass said in the state assembly that, more than 24.3 million domestic tourists and 60,306 foreign tourists visited Assam in last four years

PM Modi promotes tourism in Uttarakhand, urges people to visit in winter

Prime Minister also branded Uttarakhand's winter tourism as 'Gham Tapo Tourism' (Basking in the Sun Tourism)

Former UK PM Rishi Sunak visits Taj Mahal along with family members

Amidst high security, former UK PM Sunak was accompanied by his wife, Akshata Murty, mother-in-law, Sudha Murty, and his daughters, Krishna and Anoushka

Budget 2025: Govt to develop top 50 tourist spots, streamline e-visas

The land for building key infrastructure in these destinations will be provided by states

Hospitality sector awaits infrastructure status, seeks GST relief in Budget

Industry stakeholders believe that the full potential of India's travel and tourism sector remains untapped