Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, unveiled its new premium lifestyle brand, SV, during an exclusive runway show held at The Roof at Al Mamlaka Social Dining as part of Riyadh Fashion Week 2025. Taking its name from Saudia’s official IATA code, SV connects to the airline’s heritage while presenting a modern expression of Saudi creativity as part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its brand beyond aviation. Presented under the theme “Live to Fly,” the collection featured 40 runway pieces inspired by travel. Each design blends flight-inspired details with modern global trends, offering apparel, travel essentials, and accessories that express sophistication, movement, and individuality. Developed in collaboration with Saudi designer Mohammed Khoja, founder of the fashion label Hindamme, the collection reflects a shared vision of merging cultural heritage with modern aesthetics. Khoja’s creative direction brings together tradition and innovation, illustrating how Saudi design continues to evolve with global relevance. The collaboration highlights Saudia’s commitment to supporting local talent and celebrating Saudi creativity on the international stage. Designer Mohammed Khoja stated: “Collaborating with Saudia on SV was an inspiring opportunity to translate the elegance of aviation into fashion. Each piece in the collection carries the emotion of flight; confident, refined, and distinctly Saudi.” Khaled Tash, Chief Marketing Officer of Saudia Group, said: “SV is an extension of Saudia’s spirit. Just as we connect people across the world, SV connects heritage with modernity, aviation with fashion, and Saudi creativity with global audiences. Launching SV at Riyadh Fashion Week is a proud milestone that reflects our role as both a national carrier and a cultural ambassador.” The Riyadh Fashion Week debut marks the beginning of SV’s journey. …

Suyash Gupta, Director, Travel Bureau, speaking recently at Trav Talk ThinkTank in New Delhi, said that if we want to attract younger international visitors, we need to design an ecosystem for them. “We must come together and make a social media campaign to the larger audience to create a bigger pie for everyone,” he said.

South Africa revealed its most exquisite stories through a journey unlike any other — an Ultra-Luxury Familiarisation Trip curated by Chalo Southern Africa, powered by Albatros Travel Africa. Designed exclusively for top Indian travel trade professionals, this 10-day odyssey under The Privileged Concierge program redefined how luxury can educate, inspire, and connect. The itinerary was nothing short of cinematic. It began at Jumeirah Thanda Safari Lodge, nestled within the 16,500-hectare Zululand reserve, where Zulu heritage met modern luxury. Each villa came with a private butler, plunge pool, and panoramic savannah views. Game drives revealed the Big Five, while evenings were spent under starry skies, indulging in Jumeirah’s unmatched hospitality. From the wilderness, the group moved to Johannesburg, where history awaited at Sanctuary Mandela, the original residence of Nelson Mandela, now a refined nine-room boutique hotel by the Motsamayi Group. Each suite tells a powerful story — of struggle, forgiveness, and leadership. For the participants, it wasn’t just a stay, it was a moment of reflection. During their stay, Chalo Southern Africa and Albatros Travel Africa hosted a special sit-down dinner at the property, attended by Mr. Gcobani “GodsWill” Mancotywa, Regional General Manager – Asia, Australasia & Middle East, South African Tourism. The evening unfolded into a warm, insightful conversation about the growing significance of the Indian market for South Africa’s tourism future — highlighting a shared ambition for deeper trade and cultural ties. The group was also treated to a surprise stay at Honeyguide Conservation Lodge, a newly launched property by Albatros Travel Africa within the spectacular Entabeni Private Game Reserve. The experience combined nature, comfort, and conservation — with tailor-made cuisine, genuine hospitality, and stunning views of the Waterberg mountains. It …

According to Agoda’s search data, interest from domestic and international travellers for these 4 destinations rose by 41% year-on-year, highlighting a growing movement toward mindful, nature-led travel. Every year, India transforms into a haven for migratory birds, drawing species from as far as Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe. In the post-monsoon season between September and November, hundreds of bird species make their way to India’s wetlands, lakes, and forests, creating spectacular opportunities for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Hotspots in and around Kochi, Coimbatore, Alwar, and Cuttack offer a front-row seat to this natural spectacle.

Receiving the ‘Luxury Destination of the Year’ award for VisitBritain at the India Travel Awards 2025, Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said, “It’s amazing because Indian tourists spent over 800 million pounds in 2024, setting a new record. We are incredibly proud of the scale of Indian tourism to the UK, and we are honoured to receive this award tonight on behalf of VisitBritain.”

Neel Ghose, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, says, “Marked by a shift towards deeper meaning and hyper-personalised choices, we are witnessing a change in how Indians are approaching travel. One in three travellers are steering clear of touristy spots in favour of quieter, authentic alternatives.”

Nearly 18 states have now given industry status to tourism and hospitality, revealed Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture. “The Ministry has also shared a draft of national tourism policy with all states. We discussed the policies of all states that adopted the best practices, made a draft policy on that basis, and shared it on Tourism Day. We are working to give incentives to all states in the hospitality sector and for new hotel investments.”

Addressing the HRAWI Convention held in Mumbai recently, Neelesh Gatne, MD, MTDC, said, “Maharashtra Tourism is launching a major initiative to develop its tourism assets. We have identified 157 land parcels and plan to privatize our existing resorts. Tenders for these opportunities will be floated within the next two months. We invite all hoteliers and tourism stakeholders to participate. Your valuable suggestions are essential to the success of this endeavor, and we will be sharing further details shortly.”

Indian travellers heading to Japan will soon be able to use United Payments Interface (UPI) for everyday purchases, making the experience more convenient and reducing reliance on cash or forex cards. The service is being introduced through a collaboration between NPCI International Payments (NIPL) and NTT DATA Japan, a payment processing company. Under the agreement, select Japanese merchants will start accepting UPI. Tourists can pay simply by scanning QR codes on their phones, allowing a quick, secure, and familiar payment option during shopping, dining, or transport.

IndiGo has announced its daily, direct flights between Mumbai and Madinah starting 15 November 2025. IndiGo will operate its Airbus A320 aircraft on this route, offering seamless and affordable access for religious, business, and leisure travel. Bookings are now open on IndiGo website and across authorized travel partners. IndiGo already operates over 150 flights between India and four cities in Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Madinah. This new route will be IndiGo’s second connection to Madinah, in addition to the existing 4x weekly service from Hyderabad, which is also being increased to daily service starting 16 November 2025. This also makes IndiGo the only Indian carrier to offer direct connectivity between Mumbai and the holy city. The launch comes at a time when travel between India and Saudi Arabia is witnessing robust growth, driven by religious tourism, trade, and workforce movement. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Sales, IndiGo, said: “Madinah is a destination of deep cultural and spiritual significance that attracts pilgrims from across the globe, including India. We are pleased to launch this new Mumbai-Madinah route with the objective to cater to the growing demand for religious tourism to the holy city. These flights are in addition to our existing flights, Hyderabad to Madinah, and strengthen our vast domestic and growing international network.”