Sharing the NTO’s plans for the India market, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, says, “India remains one of our most promising and priority markets for us. While 2024 saw a slower pace in inbound tourism with 9,600 arrivals, we are seeing early signs of recovery in 2025, with 3,600 Indian tourist entries recorded between January and April. Over the next two years, we aim to cross 100,000 Indian tourist arrivals, driven by improved connectivity, simplified visa, and curated experiences for families, luxury travellers, and film tourism.”

Launching the Maharashtra Convention Bureau, Indranil Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, says, “This marks a transformative moment for our state’s economic and cultural landscape. This initiative will serve as a catalyst across key sectors—from tourism and hospitality to higher education, manufacturing, and infrastructure. It will attract global thinkers, investors, and changemakers to Maharashtra, generating new opportunities for our youth, our entrepreneurs, and our communities. As Minister of State, I am proud to support this visionary step forward that will elevate Maharashtra as a premier destination not just for business, but for bold ideas and inclusive growth.”

Speaking about handling cancellations to Turkiye and Azerbaijan, Amit Thadani, Director of NiknAmiTravels, says, “We are working closely with airlines to secure full refunds where applicable and offering clients alternative travel options, ensuring minimal disruption to their plans. While our DMC partners on the ground have been extremely cooperative and supportive, challenges remain—particularly with some hotels not offering refunds for non-refundable bookings. We are addressing these complexities with our clients proactively and empathetically.”

IHCL announces the signing of a Gateway hotel in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “Nathdwara offers a unique blend of spirituality, culture, and scenic beauty, making it an ideal destination for pilgrims and tourists. This signing is in line with IHCL’s strategy to expand in key spiritual hubs. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Madan Singh Chauhan for this project.” The 101-key Gateway Nathdwara, Rajasthan, spanning over 6 acres in the heart of the destination. Guests can indulge in culinary experiences at the all-day dining restaurant, and specialty restaurant. The hotel will feature banqueting facilities, including over 8,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space as well as an outdoor lawn spanning 10,000 sq. ft. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a fitness centre. Madan Singh Chauhan said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL to introduce the Gateway brand to Nathdwara. This hotel will enhance the hospitality landscape of the temple town.” Nestled in the Aravalli Hills, Nathdwara is a prominent pilgrimage and tourist destination. While deeply spiritual, the town also draws visitors with its rich cultural heritage, serene surroundings, and traditional Rajasthani hospitality. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 31 hotels in Rajasthan including 8 under development.  

FLY91 will soon have direct flights between Goa and Solapur, further strengthening its commitment to enhancing last-mile air connectivity across underserved regions in India. With this addition, FLY91 connects eight destinations across the country, including four in Maharashtra, namely Pune, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg and now, Solapur. Bookings for the Goa–Solapur route have gone live. By offering a safe, time-efficient and reliable mode of transport, FLY91 has made Goa’s vibrant tourism and Solapur’s spiritual and industrial potential easily accessible for travellers from both regions. Solapur, a key textile and industrial centre in south-western Maharashtra, also serves as the gateway to five pilgrimage sites in the state. With FLY91’s direct flights from Goa, travellers and pilgrims can now access religious and cultural heritage destinations such as Pandharpur (Vitthal-Rukmini Temple), Tuljapur (Tulja Bhavani Temple), Akkalkot (Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple), Gangapur (Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Math) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. “The launch of the Goa–Solapur route will highlight FLY91’s focus on improving connectivity to traditionally underserved destinations,” said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91. “Solapur is not only a key centre of industry but also a critical node in Maharashtra’s pilgrimage circuit. Our flights will make it easier for pilgrims, as well as business and leisure travellers alike, to move between these regions comfortably,” he further stated.

IndiGo and Adani Airport Holdings mark another industry-first milestone with the announcement of commencement of commercial flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This partnership will fuel aviation growth in the country, making it a key driver for India to become the third largest aviation economy by 2030. IndiGo will operate 18 daily departures (36 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs)) from NMIA to over 15 cities from day one, making it the first airline to commit to operating from NMIA at the start of commercial operations. This will be increased to 79 daily departures (158 ATMs), including 14 international departures by November ’25, and further scaled up to over 100 daily departures (200 ATMS) by March ’26. By November ’26, the operations will be further built up to 140 daily departures (280 ATMs) including 30 international departures. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: “IndiGo will be the inaugural airline to operate from NMIA and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this. Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps. This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers and further contributing to the growth of India’s booming aviation sector. The new flights from the brand-new NMIA will elevate the travel experience of our customers while enjoying affordable, on-time hassle-free services on our unparalleled network.” Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL said, “We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA. This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, …

Speaking about the hotel group’s performance for FY 2025, Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels, said, “Our asset-right model has enabled us to sign a record number of new deals, taking our pipeline to over 30+ properties, across segments and brands. The successful opening of 14 new Regenta hotels with 963+ keys has further strengthened our presence in the midscale and value segment. We are diversifying our portfolio with new brands catering to different segments and look forward to the opening of Iconiqa Hotel Mumbai International Airport, which is a category defining upscale lifestyle hotel in India.”

Air India has unveiled a new campaign, ‘There is an Air About India’, a tribute to the new India that is bold, joyous, confident, and resoundingly vibrant. The campaign, which includes an OOH segment, print ads and a stunning digital film, captures the essence of a nation on the rise that Air India is proud to carry around the world. Conceptualised and produced in partnership with creative agency McCann, the digital film’s centrepiece is the rap-style soundtrack composed by renowned music director Sneha Khanwalkar, with vocals by emerging rap artist Aarya Jadhao. The film blends rhythmic storytelling, sharp transitions, and stunning visuals — capturing the soul of India, from bustling metros to remote heartlands. Each beat and verse weaves together the diverse cultural fabric of India — its colours, cuisines, communities, and ambitions. From traditional performances and spiritual motifs to modern skylines and global aspirations, the narrative culminates in a powerful refrain “There is an Air about India” and that Air India is proud to carry it around the world. After its return to the Tata group in 2022, Air India is in the middle of a five-year transformation – Vihaan.AI – to evolve into a world-class global airline that matches the aspirations of new India. India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world where the number of airports has doubled in the last decade and over 350 million passengers took to the skies last year. Air India is building a world-class airline that reflects the warmth, ambition, and spirit of India. For this, the airline has ordered 570 new aircraft, is undergoing a $400 million retrofit program for its legacy fleet and as part of …

CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality arm of CG Corp Global and majority stakeholder in Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL), proudly announced a landmark collaboration with Marriott International for the Global Launch of Series by Marriott™— A new midscale and upscale collection brand. This historic move is anchored by the affiliation of The Fern portfolio, one of India’s most respected eco-sensitive hotel chains. Founded in 1996 CHPL has grown into one of India’s most respected hotel management companies. This partnership marks a major milestone for India’s hospitality sector. The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat will be integrated into Marriott’s global ecosystem. With over 120 operating hotels under various brands, in 90 cities and 40 additional properties in the pipeline at CHPL, the deal is expected to add up to 84 Fern branded hotels and approximately 6,000 rooms to Marriott’s India portfolio—making it one of the most significant multi-unit transactions in the country’s hospitality landscape. The agreement includes a strategic equity investment by Marriott in CHPL and an exclusive long-term co-branding relationship for The Fern brands in India. Fern hotels will now benefit from Marriott’s global distribution platforms, digital systems, and the Marriott Bonvoy™ loyalty program with 237 Million members, while retaining their independent spirit and regional identity. This collaboration reflects CG Hospitality’s long-standing belief in the strength of regionally rooted brands with global potential. CG Hospitality has nurtured Fern into a leading name in eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality. The partnership now takes that vision global, amplifying the reach and capabilities of The Fern across global markets. Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings, said: “This strategic collaboration represents more than just a portfolio …

Speaking about the changing traveller preferences, Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online, says, “We added close to 140mn domestic trips in a 20-year period and the next 140 mn trips will be added in less than 5 yrs. That is the kind of growth that we are seeing as a country right now when it comes to domestic travel. That’s one of the main pivots that we’ve had to look at in the last decade or so to move closer to where the customer behaviour is, and make sure that you as a company are in line with where the consumer trends are moving.”