In a powerful call to action for India’s travel trade, Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, has urged tour operators and travel agents to rethink the role of associations and demand greater value for their membership fees. Speaking at the PATA forum, Sinha emphasised that associations must evolve into data-driven knowledge hubs, aggregating market insights, consumer trends, and geopolitical travel shifts to truly serve their members in today’s dynamic environment. “Membership fees—whether high or low—should come with tangible returns. Associations must become aggregators of information. We used to buy such data while negotiating trade deals. Today, travel agents need that same level of insight—what kind of travellers are coming, from where, and what they want to experience,” she said.

Los Angeles Tourism invites you to the third and final webinar in its exclusive travel trade series today at 3 PM IST. Stay updated with the latest insights on the city’s vibrant attractions, experiences, and travel offerings. Those attending all three webinars will qualify for a special prize! For more info or to register, contact at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Emphasising that domestic tourism continues to be Radisson Hotel Group’s (RHG) growth driver, now accounting for 90–95 per cent of business post-COVID. Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO– South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Inbound travel is gradually picking up, with the group actively collaborating with GoI to further develop this segment.”

According to the Union Ministry of Culture, the Taj Mahal has emerged as the highest-earning monument with a revenue of ₹98.7 crore in ticket sales during FY24. The earnings from the Taj Mahal accounted for a substantial chunk of the total ₹198.07 crore generated by all ASI-protected monuments in the same period.

Speaking at a hospitality event, Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash Travel Services, said, “India is an emerging source market for sports tourism. The global sports tourism market was valued at US$600 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18 per cent from 2023 to 2023.”

As per MMGY Travel Intelligence, the United States and Europe are the most popular global destinations for Indian. 83 per cent of Indians expressed strong interest in visiting these regions in the next 12 months. However, 80 per cent of Indians preferred Asia making it the 3rd most popular choice.  

Centre has given administrative and financial sanction for two major projects with a total outlay of  ₹169.05 crores for enhancing the tourist appeal of water tourism in Alappuzha and the Malampuzha Garden in Palakkad. Both the projects were submitted by the Kerala tourism department, seeking clearance under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

At the Travel Wedding Show, Harkaran Singh, General Manager, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, emphasised on collaboration between hoteliers and wedding planners. “The main challenge arises when we are not on the same page. When we collaborate, the process is smooth and enjoyable. But when we find ourselves on opposite sides, that is when difficulties arise. Mutual respect is key, hoteliers must acknowledge the challenges wedding planners face, and vice versa,” Singh stated.

From 1 May 2025, non-Thai travellers entering Thailand by air, land, or sea will be required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. Designed to enhance efficiency, security and convenience, the TDAC aims to eliminate the hassle of paper forms improving the overall travel experience for millions of visitors.

The Delhi High Court recently ruled that payment of service charges at restaurants and hotels cannot be imposed as a mandatory charge on customers’ food bills. It dismissed the petitions filed by restaurant associations challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines, prohibiting restaurants and hotels from automatically adding a service charge to customers’ bills.