Category Archives: States

Emphasising on bridging the gap between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector during HRANI’s  11th Conclave in New Delhi, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI, said, “The direct linkage between hotels, restaurants, and FPOs is a game-changer for both sectors. This model not only ensures high-quality farm-fresh produce for the hotel industry but also enhances farmers’ income.”

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, has said that the public sector should look at sustainability, not as a compliance but commitment. “The private sector should look at green buildings, creating offerings that are carbon neutral and creating community which has ethical and local sourcing. These things must be built in business. Then sustainability will not be a trade-off, but a big strategic advantage for us,” he said.

IHCL has announced the signing of the Palitana Palace under the Taj brand in Palitana, Gujarat. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Taj has been redefining luxury for over 121 years and its recognition as World’s Strongest Hotel Brand and India’s Strongest Brand is testament to it. We are honoured to partner with His Highness Thakore Saheb Mandhatasinhji Jadeja of Rajkot to bring the Palitana Palace under the Taj brand. This addition reinforces our commitment to preserving India’s rich heritage and expanding our portfolio of Palaces, Havelis and Forts.” “As one of Gujarat’s revered destinations, Palitana holds immense potential for spiritual tourism. This also presents an opportunity for us to build the social and weddings segment in the region,” he added. Further to extensive restoration, the 65-key Taj Palitana will feature luxurious rooms and suites, offering a perfect blend of historical charm and modern luxury. The hotel will include an all-day diner, a specialty restaurant, a lounge, and state-of-the-art facilities such as a gym, pool, and spa. Catering to the growing demand for social and wedding events, the Palitana Palace will house a 3,000 sq. ft. ballroom, flexible meeting spaces, and outdoor lawns. In addition to restoring the Palace to its original grandeur, a collection of royal art and historical artifacts will be displayed within the property.

Highlighting the role of safety initiatives in enhancing Goa’s tourism appeal, Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Goa, said, “The state’s commitment to responsible and regenerative tourism extends to ensuring a secure experience for visitors. The integration of the 1364 tourist helpline and Pink Force reinforces our efforts in making the state a world-class, safe, and traveller-friendly destination.”

N Prakash Reddy, Managing Director, TGTDC, said, “To develop a comprehensive master plan for dedicated tourism clusters in Telangana, International consultants will be approached through a tender process. Established through PPP, these clusters will identify appropriate locations for essential infrastructure development. The plan encompasses hotels, resorts, transportation networks including roads, along with various tourist-centric amenities to enhance visitor experience.”

Travel Wedding Show hosted over 70 wedding planners from across India at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, facilitating over 2,000 meetings in two days. The event served as a premier platform for business and networking, bringing together top planners to discuss luxury trends, collaborations and the future of destination weddings. With a focus on innovative venue partnerships and bespoke experiences, the gathering reinforced Jaipur’s status as a premier wedding hub while shaping the future of India’s luxury wedding industry.

The Oberoi Group proudly announces the opening of The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh — a luxurious sanctuary just a few minutes’ drive from The Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India’s most renowned wildlife destinations, celebrated for its thriving population of Royal Bengal Tigers. Set across a lush 21-acre forested expanse, The Oberoi Vindhyavilas features 19 luxury tents and two luxury villas with private pools, offering guests privacy and a deep connection with nature. The interiors of the luxury tents are accentuated with tribal-inspired details and the tented canopies adorned with intricate motifs, evoking the rustic elegance of the land, brought to life through Oberoi’s signature lens of understated luxury. Thoughtfully curated design touches root the experience in place, from vivid Gond art murals in the bath area to lifelike interpretations of local wildlife, hand-painted by renowned Bandhavgarh artist Rakesh Prajapati. Sliding doors open onto a private floating deck and expansive private garden, where fountain grass and frangipani bloom under a flowering kachnar tree, creating the perfect setting to savour a morning cup of tea accompanied by the gentle symphony of birdsongs.  

Travel and tourism start-ups have grown exponentially in Kerala in recent years, fostering innovation and generating jobs. According to the state’s Tourism department, 156 start-ups have been operating in the hospitality sector. Of these, 102 started operations in the past three years. Anoop Ambika, CEO, Kerala Startup Mission, said, “79 start-ups in the tourism sector were registered with us.”

Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo, says, “This holi, we are seeing an average 45-50% YoY increase in flight bookings, driven by a mix of homebound travel, leisure getaways, and spiritual tourism. Cultural hotspots are witnessing a surge in demand this Holi. Flight bookings to Ayodhya have skyrocketed by 50% YoY for Holi, while Varanasi and Amritsar have seen a 20-30% YoY increase. Tier-2 and 3 cities are also witnessing a surge in flight bookings for the holi weekend.”

With Holi just round the corner, Indian travellers are maximising the extended weekend by opting for a blend of vibrant domestic celebrations. According to Booking.com, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Rishikesh lead as the top three most searched domestic destinations while destinations like Vrindavan, Mathura, Pushkar, Jaipur, Shantiniketan and Hampi are witnessing a surge in searches during the festive period.