Category Archives: States

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary for Tourism, emphasised that the tourism supply side is not growing due to unfavorable financial conditions. He urges tourism stakeholders to actively communicate their concerns to policymakers. He also emphasises that industry participation is crucial to shaping policies that drive growth. Encouraging states to adopt an entrepreneurial approach, he stressed the need for tourism to contribute beyond its current 5.04% of GDP.

According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 Report, cost remains a key factor for value-conscious Indians, with 62% stating that flight prices play a crucial role in their decision-making process. To address this, Skyscanner has introduced a new feature that offers users options to secure the best deals.

Highlighting the uniqueness of Odisha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism & Culture, GoI, says, “Odisha government must provide content to display at national tourism forums. We must establish the state’s flavours in the global market. Enhancing the tourism experience, expanding tourism product offerings, and developing holistic infrastructure are key to driving growth.”

Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, said, “Through our participation at ITB Berlin, we aim to forge meaningful partnerships and position Goa as a leading global tourism destination that prioritises responsible and conscious travel. Continuing its pitch of ‘Goa beyond beaches’, he added that the state is more than just a beach destination, it offers a deeper connection with nature and local communities.”

Addressing the Madhya Pradesh Global Investor Summit in Bhopal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that three sectors – textiles, tourism and technology- are “crucial” for India’s development as they will create more new jobs. He added that to boost the manufacturing sector, the government is strengthening local supply chains and promoting self-reliance, especially for MSMEs.

VisitBritain along with the British High Commission in Mumbai celebrated King’s birthday party. The event hosted 500 stakeholders and travel trade from VisitBritain, who experienced the best of the UK. The event highlighted themes of innovation, featuring visual assets from new ‘Starring Great Britain’ campaign.

Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked over ₹400 crore to boost religious tourism in the state budget for FY2025-26. To promote tourism, ₹150 crore of this budget has been set for Ayodhya while ₹125 crore has been allocated for Mathura, ₹100 crore for Naimisharanya, and ₹50 crore for Chitrakoot.

InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, and IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, in collaboration with Sahapedia, organised an enriching and immersive Heritage Walk in Lucknow under the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign. This specially curated walk was designed to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of Lucknow, showcasing the city’s deep history and expansive architecture. The ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign raises awareness about India’s cultural and historical legacy. It creates awareness and encourages dialogue and collaboration to preserve and protect the city’s tangible and intangible heritage, thus empowering local residents to rediscover the history and culture that surrounds their city. This initiative has already organised similar heritage walks in several cities, including Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, and most recently, Kozhikode. The walk titled ‘Awadhi Begum, Nawab aur British’ showcased Lucknow’s exciting history and explored the dynamic fusion of Mughal and Awadhi traditions that define its cultural heritage. The walk commenced at Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and concluded at Amir-ud-Daulah Park, passing through landmarks such as Sher Darwaza, Saadat Ali Khan Maqbara, Sapper’s Tomb, Butler Park, and more. The route explored the city’s cultural blend, as evident in its architecture, music, and cuisine. Led by conservation architect Nishant Upadhyay, the event was attended by members of the local community, government officials, media, and senior leadership of InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGo. Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “We are delighted to bring the Heritage Walk experience to the radiant city of Lucknow, where tradition blends perfectly with contemporary India. By exploring the historical landmarks and hidden gems of Lucknow, we hope to connect people with the city’s vibrant past and inspire them …

Jaiveer Singh, Tourism Minister welcomes Japanese delegation, highlights development of Buddhist circuit and economic opportunities A high-level Japanese delegation, led by Ko Osada, Deputy Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, visited Uttar Pradesh to explore avenues for tourism collaboration, with a special focus on the Buddhist Circuit. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Jaiveer Singh, Tourism and Culture Minister, who highlighted the state’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage and its significance as a global pilgrimage destination. During a meeting at Hotel Taj Mahal, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, senior officials from Uttar Pradesh Tourism presented a comprehensive overview of the state’s tourism potential. The presentation included insights into the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Land Lease Policy 2024, which aims to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by offering a 90-year land lease to investors. Discussions cantered on enhancing tourism infrastructure, particularly across the Buddhist Circuit, where 179.77 acres of land have been earmarked for development to improve pilgrim facilities. Deputy Governor Ko Osada expressed admiration for Uttar Pradesh’s historical significance, stating that Japan views tourism as ‘spreading the light of knowledge.’ He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the state and announced that a larger Japanese delegation would soon visit to further explore tourism opportunities. Adding to the discourse, Neerendra Upadhyay, Advisor, Yamanashi Prefecture Government, emphasised the deep historical and spiritual connections between Japan and Uttar Pradesh. He stressed the potential for enhancing bilateral tourism, investment, and academic exchanges, reinforcing Yamanashi’s enthusiasm in working closely with Uttar Pradesh to foster tourism-driven economic growth. Singh emphasised Uttar Pradesh’s pivotal role in Buddhist history, being home to sacred sites that attract millions of devotees annually. He underscored the long-standing spiritual, cultural, and economic ties between Uttar Pradesh and …

While presenting State Budget FY2025-26, Diya Kumari, Minister of Finance, Rajasthan, announced that tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹975 crore will be taken into consideration. 10 sites to be developed as iconic tourist destinations for promoting heritage tourism. A tribal tourist circuit will be built for ₹100 crore. Further, an Aero City will be set up near the Kota airport.