Page 3 - Tourism Sector

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

Search for Goa grows 12% in Oct-Dec, hotel bookings up 14%: MakeMyTrip

Goa continues to be India's leading leisure destination, as MakeMyTrip saw a 12 per cent rise in searches for the place on its platform and 14 per cent growth in hotel room bookings in October-December, the travel booking firm's co-founder and Group CEO Rajesh Magow said. The MakeMyTrip's data assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of rising concerns about a decline in Goa's tourism, particularly from foreign visitors and viral social media posts, showing images of empty beaches and closed shacks. Several social media users have also claimed exploitation by taxi drivers and rising hotel costs, with many reportedly opting for alternatives abroad, especially in Southeast Asian nations. "Our data from the last quarter of 2024 highlights Goa's continuing appeal as India's leading leisure destination. Searches for Goa on MakeMyTrip grew by 12 per cent year-on-year, showcasing sustained travel interest despite an already large base. This intent has translated into bookings as ..

Oyo plans to add 500 hotels in religious hubs across states in 2025

Travel tech unicorn OYO on Wednesday said it is planning to add 500 hotels in religious hubs, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Puri, Haridwar, Mathura, Vrindavan, Amritsar, Ujjain, Ajmer, Nasik, and Tirupati, this year. The announcement comes at a time when religious tourism in the country is booming and the government has launched several initiatives that aim to improve infrastructure at tourist sites and develop tourist attractions, including the PRASHAD scheme, the Ramayana Circuit, and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. In a statement, OYO said it will add over 150 hotels in Ayodhya, 100 in Varanasi and 50 each in Prayagraj, Haridwar, and Puri. Ayodhya also topped the list of most-searched religious destination for new year holidays, emerging as a major spiritual tourism destination. "This move comes in response to the surging demand for quality accommodation following the inauguration of the Ram temple last year. Ayodhya has also gained significant traction as the most-searche

Unmarried couples no longer welcome, OYO changes check-in policy

Travel booking major OYO has launched a new check-in policy for partner hotels, starting from Meerut, introducing guidelines effective this year whereby unmarried couples will no longer be welcome to check in. Under the revised policy, all couples will be asked to present valid proof of relationship at the time of check-in, including for bookings made online. OYO has empowered its partner hotels' discretion to decline couple bookings based on their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, the company said. OYO has given the directive to its partner hotels in Meerut to ensure this with immediate effect. Based on ground feedback, the company may expand this to more cities, people familiar with the policy change said. "OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels," they said. Pawa

Rajasthan saw over 200 mn tourists till Nov, including 1.9 mn foreigners

According to the tourism department's data, this figure is expected to cross 215 million after including the December footfall, up by almost 52 million from the 2023 figure of over 162.8 million

South Africa holds great tourism potential for Indians: SA minister

South Africa holds immense potential as a as premier travel destination for the Indian market, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said after returning from a recent visit to India. De Lille led a South African delegation on a mission to directly engage with Indian tourism traders, tour operators and associations, business leaders and the media to work in closer collaboration to improve tourists from India to South Africa. This mission was aimed at building relationships through interactions and engagements with tourism trade, captains of industry as well as other relevant stakeholders in the tourism value chain, whilst emphasising tourism as a tool for economic growth, de Lille said as she also commented on showcasing South Africa's tourism offerings during the country's G20 presidency. South Africa took over the presidency of the G20 grouping from Brazil on December 1 this year. India, as a key partner and one of South Africa's most dynamic tourism markets, holds immense potential

Indian tourism sector to double to $523 years in 10 years: WTTC chief

The Indian tourism sector is expected to double in size to USD 523 billion in the next 10 years, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO Julia Simpson. WTTC 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 travel and tourism sector employs 45 million people in India, and is going to double in its value. In 10 years, the sector is going to be worth USD 523 billion in India, more than double the present size of USD 256 billion, Simpson told PTI in an interview. In 10 years, the tourism sector in India will be providing jobs to 63 million people, she said. India is one of the most beautiful and amazing countries in the world, Simpson said. Tourists and visitors across the centuries have been attracted to its shores and wonderful cities. India continues to welcome the world with open arms and the Indian hospitality is incredible, she added. Tourism