VFS Global launches its optional CSP Assistance Service for Germany student and vocational training visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi, India, to provide seamless support with registration and submission on the Consular Services Portal. Applicants requiring support with the CSP process can book an appointment to visit our centre for step-by-step support with registration, assistance in completing the online application form and scanning and uploading required documents. VFS Global is the only official and authorised provider providing this service. Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “Many applicants are unfamiliar with online visa application processes and often rely on unauthorised third parties that charge exorbitant fees to complete tasks such as CSP registration, form filling, document scanning, and uploading. To ensure a secure, affordable, and accessible alternative, VFS Global is introducing an optional assistance service at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) designed to assist applicants in navigating the CSP platform with ease.”

Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced the expansion of its non-stop service between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, increasing from 4x weekly flights to daily flights, starting 15 June 2025. This enhancement strengthens connectivity between India and Japan, offering greater convenience for travellers and supporting growing trade and tourism between the two countries.   This move builds on Air India’s recent shift to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (from Narita) on 31 March 2025, which reduced travel time to Tokyo Station to approximately 30 minutes. The daily flights, operated with Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, provide passengers with faster access to central Tokyo, as Haneda Airport is just 18 km from downtown Tokyo.   “Expanding our Delhi-Tokyo Haneda service to daily flights reflects Air India’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for travel between India and Japan,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “This daily service, combined with our deepened codeshare partnership with All Nippon Airways, makes it easier for our guests to explore Japan and connect conveniently to other destinations in the country beyond Tokyo.”   Through Air India’s expanded codeshare with Star Alliance partner All Nippon Airways (ANA), Air India guests can conveniently connect from Tokyo Haneda to six major Japanese cities—Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo—on a single ticket with baggage checked through to their final destination.   The daily flights enable seamless connections to domestic Indian destinations like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune, as well as international routes across Asia and Europe.   The updated flight schedule, effective 15 June 2025, is as follows: AI358: Departs Delhi (DEL) at 2020 Hrs, arrives Tokyo Haneda (HND) at 0755 Hrs next day (daily). …

New GBTA poll shows nearly one-third of global travel managers expect a 21% drop in 2025 business travel, citing US tariffs, entry restrictions and cross-border risks. Just 44% foresee no impact, while suppliers are more cautious, only 25% predict stability. With spending forecast at $1.63 trillion, a projected 20% cut could slash $88 billion from global travel budgets. 

RezLive.com, part of the Travel Designer Group, introduces Smart Match, an AI-driven feature will redefine the way travel agents compare and book hotel rooms. With the travel industry constantly evolving, the feature represents a pivotal innovation—transforming the room selection experience by using artificial intelligence to intelligently group, compare, and present hotel room options in a clean and consolidated view.   

As India’s tourism industry achieves notable growth, the country’s presence at ATM has increased by 30% this year, driven by a strong presence from exhibitors including the regional tourism boards from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and airline carriers such as Air India and Air India Express.     

A new report by PATA highlights four key workforce challenges in Asia-Pacific tourism: attracting and retaining talent, skill development and readiness for sustainable travel. Post-pandemic labour shortages, low industry appeal, salary pressures and fast-changing skill needs recovery unless industry and academia act swiftly to bridge the gaps. 

According to MMGY, Indian outbound travellers still rely heavily on traditional planning methods, especially for complex international trips. Despite increased digital savviness, travel agents remain crucial for curated, multi-destination itineraries and group tours

Accor and InterGlobe have strengthened their partnership to create India’s fastest-growing hospitality enterprise. The collaboration targets 300 hotels under Accor brands by 2030. They will jointly invest in Treebo, becoming its largest shareholder, and lead the development of Ibis and Mercure brands in India through a master license agreement. 

Signalling good times ahead for hospitality students, the hospitality placements at IHM Pusa Road have jumped from 20% to 49% this year. Principal Pant said, “Over the past four to five years, it was disheartening to observe that only about 20% of our students were entering core hospitality roles — in hotels, quick-service restaurants, and related sectors — while nearly 75% of the rest were moving towards retail, e-commerce, consulting, and other industries. This year, however, marks a turning point. Thanks to the industry’s commitment and the attractive opportunities being extended— 49% of our students are now stepping directly into core hospitality careers.”

Foreign exchange inflows from tourism in India hit a record $10.1 billion in Q3 2024-25, according to RBI. This marks a strong rebound from the pandemic slump, surpassing the pre-Covid high of $8.6 billion in Q3 2019-20. The rising trend highlights India’s growing appeal as a global travel destination and the sector’s contribution to the economy.