Page 4 - Tourism

Tourism, aviation, hospitality to rally after Pahalgam attack: Taj CEO

The tourism, hospitality and aviation industries will work together to face the challenges following the Pahalgam attack and the consequent military situation, said Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, on Sunday. Chhatwal, whose company operates the Taj Hotels brand, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the convocation function at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur. When asked about how the hospitality industry plans to tackle the challenges after the Pahalgam terror attack and the resulting military confict between India and Pakistan, Chhatwal said it is the role of management to navigate through crises, and that every crisis presents an opportunity. That does not mean we should have only crises. Once everything settles down... how we, as a sectortourism, hospitality, and aviationrally together to bring business back to Kashmir, that's the key," he said. Chhatwal also shared his company's plan to start Taj properties in Frankfurt, ..

Rajasthan govt aims to become a concert tourism hub, attract MICE

The state government plans to set up concert tourism facilities in various cities soon, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said on Sunday

GenZ pushes hospitality firms to expand with unique travel experiences

Araiya Hotels, Hyatt and Airbnb are expanding in India as GenZ travellers seek authentic, spiritual, adventure and wellness experiences, driving demand for unique stays

Oman eyes Indian tourists to boost sustainable tourism under Vision 2040

Oman is ramping up efforts to attract international tourists, including Indians, to meet its goal of approximately 11.7 million visitors annually by 2040 as part of its sustainable tourism strategy, a top Omani official said here. Highlighting the deep historical ties between Oman and India, Mohamed bin Mahmoud al Zadjali, adviser to the Minister of Heritage and Tourism for Engineering Affairs, noted that Indian tourists are a key visitor group. The collaboration between Oman and India is historically significant. We rely heavily on Indian tourists, who are among our primary visitor groups consistently exploring various locations in Oman, Zadjali told PTI Videos. Oman is promoting corporate travel and destination weddings, targeting the 'Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions' (MICE) sector to build a loyal client base in India. The sultanate welcomed around 6,00,000 Indian tourists in 2023 about 15 per cent of total tourists that year reinforcing India's role as a vi

China lowers minimum amount for tax refunds for tourists to boost spending

China announced a lower threshold for tax refunds for foreign tourists among a series of policies on Sunday to boost consumption as its economy comes under pressure during a trade war between Beijing and Washington. Travellers can apply for a tax refund if they spend 200 yuan (about $27) at the same store on the same day and meet other requirements starting Sunday, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities. Previously, the minimum amount was 500 yuan (about $69). The upper limit for their tax rebate in cash also has been doubled to 20,000 yuan ($2,745). The government will expand the coverage of tax refund shops and streamline the procedures. Officials encourage some regions to set up refund points for travellers to get rebates immediately after their purchases in areas highly concentrated with tourists, the statement said. China's Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping told reporters in a news conference that inbound tourist consumption ...

Rajasthan govt charts strategy to develop adventure tourism segment

The official said that the plan, which is part of the state's tourism policy, is to provide a framework to entrepreneurs to set up adventure tourism projects in the state

Datanomics: Terror attack casts shadow on tourism sector of Jammu & Kashmir

As many as 23.6 million tourists visited the UT in 2024, double the number in 2021. This enthusiasm may be broken, at least for a while, by the militant attack on Tuesday

Pahalgam attacks: Hotels and tour operators see flurry of cancellations

Travellers reschedule trips beyond peak season; hill states set to benefit

Ladakh safe; stakeholders demand removal of 'misleading' travel advisories

Concerned over the cancellations of bookings in the aftermath of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the tourism stakeholders in the neighbouring Ladakh on Wednesday assured the foreign and domestic tourists of safe travel in the Union Territory (UT). They also demanded the removal of "misleading" travel advisories. Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. Ladakh observed a shutdown against the terror attack. The UT is also holding a candlelight vigil, jointly being organised by all religious groups representing Buddhist, Muslim and Christian communities besides trade and tourism associations here later in the day to express solidarity with the bereaved families. The "terrorism-free" region of Ladakh was separated from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370. The two were made separate UTs. All Ladakh Ho

Rajasthan govt plans to upgrade museums, seeks ₹50 cr to boost tourism

With the funds, museums in cities such as Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Alwar, and Bharatpur will undergo conservation and development for better display and preservation of artefacts

German teens detained, deported from US over 'suspicious itinerary'

Both the teenagers landed in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 18 where they were reportedly denied entry into the US, despite possessing valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approvals

Chhattisgarh govt prepares development roadmap for post-Maoist Bastar

To discuss the plans, an event Viksit Bastar Ki Ore (towards developed Bastar) was organised in the divisional headquarters of Bastar region Jagdalpur, on Tuesday and Wednesday

China issues over 85,000 visas to Indians in 2025 after easing rules

'Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China,' says Chinese Ambassador

Tourism accounts for 10% of Sikkim's GSDP, has growth scope: CM Tamang

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said tourism contributes nearly 10 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of the Himalayan state with a strong potential for further growth. He said his government is focused on eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and community-based models that empower local economies. "With over 1,000 homestays, initiatives like 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' and 'Shishu Samriddhi Yojana' reflect our commitment to future generations and climate action," Tamang said at the inauguration of the three-day Internation Youth Conclave for tourism development at Yangang, a small hamlet in Namchi district, on Saturday. The youth conclave is being organised by Yangang Tourism Development Committee and the Tourism Department. Around 176 representatives from different countries are participating in the event. The event is being organised to mark 50 years of statehood. The chief minister said the conclave is more than just an eventit is a platform for collaboration, .

Anger against Trump may reduce US international visitors, warns forecaster

Anger over the Trump administration's tariffs and rhetoric will likely cause international travel to the US to fall even further than expected this year, an influential travel forecasting company said Tuesday. Tourism Economics said it expects the number of people arriving in the U.S. from abroad to decline by 9.4 per cent this year. That's almost twice the 5 per cent drop the company forecast at the end of February. At the beginning of the year, Tourism Economics predicted a booming year for international travel to the US, with visits up 9 per cent from 2024. But Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks said high-profile lockups of European tourists at the US border in recent weeks have chilled international travellers. Potential visitors have also been angered by tariffs, Trump's stance toward Canada and Greenland, and his heated White House exchange with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. With each policy development, each rhetorical missive, we're just seeing unforced error .

Sikkim's Rs 50 tourism toll sparks debate over cost, sustainability

State argues the "entry fee" for travellers will boost infrastructure and instil ownership of sustainable tourism, but critics call it unjust and a burden on the sector. ADITI PHADNIS weighs in

South African Tourism sees India as top APAC mkt for international arrivals

This comes after 75,541 Indian tourists visited South Africa last year, with 63 per cent from Mumbai

Tourism New Zealand signs JV agreements with nine Indian travel companies

Air New Zealand, Air India sign a MoU to boost air connectivity between the two countries

Tourism Ministry working to ease visa processes for foreign travellers

Efforts on to attract more MICE visitors, global conferences

The new travel playbook: Indians seek spirituality, festivals, and wellness

Rather than routine getaways, Indians are packing their bags for spirituality, festivals, concerts, wellness - and sleep