Page 2 - Tourism

Mizoram tourist footfall increases by 139.50% in 2024-25: CM Lalduhoma

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday said that the tourism industry in the state has seen rapid growth as the tourist footfall has increased by 139.5 per cent in 2024-2025 in comparison to the previous financial year. Addressing the second day of Mizoram Travel Fest here, Lalduhoma said that the increasing inflow of visitors has contributed significantly to the state's economy. "The tourism industry in Mizoram is growing rapidly. According to statistics, the number of tourist arrivals has increased by 139.50 per cent in 2024-25 compared to the previous year," he said. The chief minister also expressed confidence that this trend will continue to grow in the coming years. He said that Mizo people should show hospitality and must be accommodating to tourists from other communities to ensure that Mizoram becomes a welcoming destination for all. "If the Mizos truly live out the beautiful values of their culture and Mizo code of ethics - selflessness, hospitality, respect to el

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

What happened in Vegas has now prompted a campaign to draw crowds back

Its 'Fabulous' campaign to revive falling tourist numbers has been facing backlash on social media, with many saying Las Vegas still doesn't get it

India, ADB sign $126 mn loan deal to boost tourism in Uttarakhand

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 126.42-million loan agreement to promote rural development through sustainable tourism in the Tehri Lake region of Uttarakhand. The project aims to benefit over 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors through improved tourism planning, upgraded infrastructure, enhanced sanitation and waste management, and disaster preparedness. The project targets the Tehri Garhwal District, one of Uttarakhand's most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions. "The ADB loan supports the Government of Uttarakhand's policy to position the state as a diversified, all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake identified as a priority area for development," said Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. "The project showcases a model for sustainable tourism anchored around a hydropower lake by adopting a multi-sector approach to generate jobs, diversify income, and build ..

Majority of millennials prefer family trips, outpacing APAC average: Report

Indian millennials are focusing on family getaways, while Gen Z is redefining group travel by including parents, partners, and friends, shifting traditional group travel dynamics, a report said on Wednesday. With 62 per cent of Indian millennials choosing to travel with their immediate family, above the Asia-Pacific (APAC) average of 53 per cent, the modern Indian holiday is becoming more about connection than just the destination, according to Travel Trends 2025 research report by online travel and related services provider Booking.com. The report surveyed adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2025, and are involved in trip planning. The sample size comprises 32,106 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January 2025, including 1,800 from India. It also revealed that a majority of Indian travellers are willing to cover trip costs for their loved ones. Over 89 per cent of millennials and 88 per cent of Gen Z are willing t

Chhattisgarh Pavilion gets massive response at Osaka Expo in Japan

The Pavilion weaves Chhattisgarh's cultural richness, industrial strength, and tourism potential

Top hospitality chains eye eco-tourism resort projects in Andaman islands

Top hospitality companies, including Tata group's IHCL and Hyatt Hotels Corp, have shown interest in developing eco-tourism resorts at four locations in Andamans, including the uninhabited Aves Island, which will be opened for tourism for the first time, officials said on Saturday. The eco-tourism properties will be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis at Neil Island, Aves Island, Long Island and Smith Island. Besides, the administration is also looking to redevelop the Megapode Resort in Port Blair, they said. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO) on July 28 invited bids for developing the resorts on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis, they added. A virtual pre-bid meeting was held on August 14, and it was attended by officials of some of the biggest players of the sector, including The Leela, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Club Mahindra, Hyatt Hotels Corp, Ambuja Neotia Hospitality, Chalet Hotels,

Travel aggregator MakeMyTrip targets 'Bharat' with GenAI travel assistant

Company aims to attract first-time online travel buyers from Bharat with voice-and-text GenAI planner, expanding reach as domestic tourism demand continues to rise

Here's why a Manga prediction crashed Japan's tourist numbers in June

Tourist arrivals from Hong Kong to Japan fell by 33.4 per cent year-on-year in June. The rumour was widely circulated in Hong Kong, where it spread over mainstream media and through influencers

New Zealand to charge foreign tourists up to NZ$40 at popular sites

The country's pristine national parks and great walks are "truly special to New Zealanders" and foreigners should pay a fee at high traffic sites, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a speech

Andhra Pradesh govt inks tourism project deals worth ₹500 crore

Deals on tourism projects worth Rs 500 crore were inked in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Andhra Pradesh Tourism Investors Programme at Gandikota Fort in Kadapa district on Friday. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation inked these deals with Ease My Trip, Hilton Hotels and others for tourism projects at various locations. "These agreements have been inked in the presence of the CM to set up tourism projects at various places in the state. Ease my Trip, Hilton Hotels and several other organisations inked deals worth Rs 500 crore with Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation," said an official press release. Besides building hotels, these deals are also aimed at setting up facilities for adventure sports, kayaking, jet skiing and others at Gandikota, Srisailam, Mantralayam, Tirupati and other places. Naidu virtually laid the foundation for a string of tourism projects at Gandikota, Borra Caves, Ahobilam, Nagarjuna Sagar and others under Central Government schemes such a

Fresh tourism policy on anvil for investment, economic growth in UP

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for promoting different forms of tourism such as heritage, rural, religious, and fort 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