Page 2 - Tourism

India reopens doors to Chinese tourists, ends 5-year suspension | India-China relations

India will resume tourist visa issuance for Chinese nationals from today, July 24.This marks the first time since 2020 that Chinese tourists can apply to visit India. Watch the video for details.

Tourism minister not to blame for inviting Jyoti Malhotra to Kerala: UDF

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Tuesday said neither the Tourism Department nor the minister heading it can be blamed for inviting social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, suspected of spying for Pakistan, to the state for promoting its tourism sector. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan said had the government known she was a spy, it would not have invited her to the state. "No one knew she was carrying out espionage when she was here. So, what can be done about that? We are a responsible opposition, we do not blame the government unnecessarily," he said. At the same time, he also said that had CPI(M) been in the opposition, it would have demanded the resignation of the Tourism Minister over the issue. The opposition leader was replying to reporters' queries regarding the state government inviting Malhotra to Kerala for promoting its tourism. The issue assumes importance as BJP leader K Surendran recently questioned why "a Pak-linked spy's trip" was sponsor

Indian hospitality industry protected from AI but needs massive manpower

Hotel chains have partnered with reputed hospitality institutes, participate in campus placement drives but to bridge the talent gap

Oyo's DanCenter to add 250 premium vacation homes across India in FY26

Oyo's European brand DanCenter currently operates in 9 states and UTs and aims to expand into Telangana and the North-East, focusing on upscale and niche travel segments

Travel operators stay nimble as monsoon throws consumers' plans off track

Tourists look for flexible bookings, no-penalty cancellations, and weather insurance

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

Global leisure travel market to reach $15 trillion by 2040: BCG report

The next wave of travellers is increasingly coming from emerging markets like China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, outpacing traditional tourism heavyweights like the US, UK, and Germany

Visa queries jump as Wimbledon, F1 power global sports tourism: Atlys

Sports events like Wimbledon and Formula 1 are driving a sharp rise in international visa searches as fans build entire travel plans around global sporting fixtures

Cochin Shipyard receives cruise vessel order from Antara River Cruises

Cochin Shipyard subsidiary to construct two inland luxury cruise vessels for Antara River Cruises, marking India's first deployment under IV Rules 2022 on the Brahmaputra River

Your Airbnb was my home: Why Europeans are turning against tourists

Anti-tourism protests grow across Europe as locals blame visitors for housing woes. Cities like Venice, Barcelona and Lisbon push new rules to limit tourist crowds

Paris's Louvre shuts down as anti-tourism protests spread through Europe

The Louvre Museum closed after staff walked out over overcrowding, decaying infrastructure and deep funding cuts, leaving visitors locked out in protest

Southeast Asia courts Indian travellers with easier visas, flight deals

While Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia remain the top destinations in terms of passenger seat capacity in flights, Vietnam has emerged as the biggest gainer

Icra projects 6-8% growth for hospitality, downgrades outlook to 'stable'

Growth of India's hospitality sector is expected to "normalise" at 6-8 per cent in the current financial year, rating agency Icra said on Monday while downgrading the sectoral outlook to "stable" from positive. The rating agency also stated that foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to India are expected to remain muted in the next few months in the aftermath of the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, but are estimated to witness a gradual recovery thereafter. However, domestic tourism has been the prime demand driver so far and is likely to remain the same in the near term. Factors, including improvement in infrastructure and air connectivity, favourable demographics, and anticipated growth in large-scale MICE events, with the opening of multiple new convention centres in the last few years, will support the growth over the medium term, Icra said. According to the rating agency, the domestic hospitality sector's earnings and credit metrics are expected to remain stable in ..

Uttarakhand chokes under tourist rush; Delhi man dies in Mussoorie jam

Mussoorie and other tourist destinations in Uttarakhand witnessed massive traffic congestion over the weekend, leading to the death of a 62-year-old man from Delhi

Lalit Suri Hospitality Group eyes IPO after 2026 amid expansion plans

Co looking at Management Contracts and Religious Tourism

India's tourism sector to gain from global uncertainty, says WTTC CEO

4th largest, stable economy to get higher share of international tourists

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

Omar Abdullah holds Cabinet meet in Pahalgam: 'Bloodshed won't stop J&K'

The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet met in Pahalgam today and plans another session in Gulmarg to help restore public confidence and revive tourism after the recent terror attack

Rajasthan govt to soon bring out a policy to boost film production

Diya Kumari, the state's deputy chief minister who also holds the tourism portfolio, has directed officials to finalise the policy, alongside working on plans to boost adventure tourism in the state

Saudi Arabia unveils 'TOURISE' platform to chart future roadmap for tourism

Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the launch of a global platform which seeks to create a "powerful partnership" between public and private sectors and chart a future roadmap for tourism. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb launched the platform, 'TOURISE', and also announced that the TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh from November 11 to 13. The announcement was made in the Saudi capital during a press conference that was attended virtually by a large number of journalists from around the world. TOURISE is a "bold new initiative", structured for year-round impact through collaboration, and will be anchored with a high-profile global advisory board. In his address, the Saudi minister said the platform seeks to chart the course for tourism for the next 50 years. It will bring public and private sectors together. He said this initiative is "no ordinary endeavour". Saudi Arabia seeks to deliver practical, visible and permanent solutions, and this initiative will