WTTC’s latest report reveals that tourism is set to support 91 mn jobs by 2035. While the sector is on course to support one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035, demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 43 mn people. It highlights that the labour challenge will affect all the 20 major economies, with the largest absolute shortfalls forecast in China (16.9 mn) and India (11 mn).

Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip.com, recently met Hon’ble CM of Delhi, Rekha Gupta ji and Hon’ble Minister for Art, Culture and Language, Kapil Mishra to discuss transforming Delhi into India’s premier cultural and spiritual destination. They also discussed the tourism board’s vision for the Yamuna Aarti and cruise initiative , which will boost tourism by combining traditional evening prayers with scenic river journeys. “We spoke about the strategic partnership between Delhi Tourism and EaseMyTrip to position Delhi as more than just a transit point. Our technology infrastructure can seamlessly package everything from spiritual circuits through Easy Pilgrimage to immersive art experiences, world-class productions, and Esports & gaming events, reaching our 30 million customers globally. Easy Green Mobility secured Madhya Pradesh Government’s first inter-city electric bus tender, and we can bring similar sustainable solutions to Delhi, transforming how travellers experience the capital, prioritising environmental responsibility. If you are an entrepreneur building in tourism, cultural tech, or sustainable mobility that can elevate Delhi’s travel experience, please comment or DM me. Let us connect and work together to scale impactful solutions,” Pittie said.

SpiceJet announces the launch of daily flights to two of India’s most sought-after winter destinations – Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Udaipur, the city of lakes. The airline will operate daily flights to Port Blair from Kolkata and Delhi, and to Udaipur from Delhi and Mumbai, offering travellers the perfect opportunity to plan their winter getaways. As part of its ambitious winter expansion plan, SpiceJet is adding new routes, more flights, and a significantly larger fleet to meet soaring travel demand. The airline is set to more than double both its daily flights and operational fleet this winter, with several exciting new destinations on the horizon. Flights to Port Blair have already commenced, while daily non-stop flights to Udaipur from Delhi and Mumbai will begin November 6, 2025. Tickets are available for booking on SpiceJet’s official website and mobile app. Passengers flying to Port Blair from Kolkata will enjoy seamless, non-stop connectivity, while those travelling from Delhi will make a short stopover at Kolkata. The Delhi–Port Blair service is a direct connection with no aircraft change, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey. Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said, “As winter approaches, we are thrilled to offer travellers two of India’s most beautiful destinations – the Andamans and Udaipur – now easily accessible with our new direct and non-stop flights. Whether it’s a beachside escape or a royal retreat, SpiceJet is making your dream holiday closer than ever. This expansion is part of our larger commitment to strengthen our domestic network and provide seamless, affordable, and delightful travel experiences to our passengers.”

Embracing the spirit of World Tourism Day 2025 and its focus on inclusive and sustainable tourism, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, unveiled the OneConnect Meghalaya Tourism Helpline and the new Website for Meghalaya Tourism. The new revamped website is a one-click gateway, which serves as a unified platform for every traveller’s needs. These launches, complemented with the release of Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission Scheme and the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme, position Meghalaya as a hub of responsible travel, nurturing authentic, human-centred experiences for every visitor. Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, presented a comprehensive vision for Meghalaya’s tourism sector, highlighting it as a top priority over the last seven and a half years. He showcased the impressive results of this focus, with domestic tourist arrivals growing to 1.6 million and a clear target to create 50,000 new jobs within the next three years. This growth is backed by a massive infrastructure push, with 210 ongoing projects valued at ₹3,625 crores and a recent sanction of an additional ₹260 crores from the DoNER Ministry specifically for developing the Sohra (Cherrapunji) destination. The centrepiece of his strategy is the new Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, designed to address a critical accommodation shortage.

Pradeep Agrawal, General Manager (UK, Europe, USA, Australia and Bali), Worldwide DMC, received the Best DMC & MICE Operator award at the India Travel Awards 2025. “Winning this (award) motivates us to excel. This prestigious recognition boosts our business, validating our team’s hard work and dedication, driving us to innovate and deliver exceptional travel experiences,” he said.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Head, South Asia, Booking.com, shared that Indians will take nearly 5.2 billion trips by 2030, most of them domestic. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to meet that momentum with intent by adapting to evolving preferences, expanding relevant supply, strengthening physical and digital infrastructure, and placing the modern new Indian traveller at the heart of hospitality growth.

In Mumbai to meet the new Country Manager for India, Ritu Verma, and interact with the trade, Gary Robson, Director (Europe, Middle East & India), VisitBritain, says, “Indian visitors will spend nearly £1 billion while visiting the UK this year. The India-UK connectivity is strong and growing with 166 direct flights a week without including the recent Indigo’s Delhi-Manchester route.”

Effective 1st October 2025, SSR Reps, the representation vertical of SSRTS, is proud to welcome Safari Seekers Kenya as its new Destination Management Company (DMC) partner for Kenya. For over four decades, Safari Seekers has stood as one of Kenya’s most dynamic and trusted family-run destination management companies. Rooted in strong family values and deep local expertise, the company has been curating tailor-made safaris, luxury holidays, and bespoke travel experiences across East Africa with a personal touch and international standards of service. Through this partnership, SSR Reps will lead sales and business development for Safari Seekers in the India market, further strengthening Kenya’s positioning as a premier safari and leisure destination for Indian travellers. Commenting on the collaboration, Sapneal Rao, Founder & CEO of SSR Travel Solutions, said, “We are delighted to partner with Safari Seekers Kenya. Their innovative approach, operational excellence, and passion for showcasing the best of Kenya align perfectly with our vision of delivering unique and memorable experiences to Indian travellers.” Adding to this, Shivangi Thakker, Co-Partner / Director of Safari Seekers Kenya, said, “We are excited to join hands with SSR Reps for the India market. India is a fast-growing source market for Kenya, and with SSR’s strong trade relationships and deep market knowledge, we are confident of creating new opportunities and welcoming more Indian travellers to experience the magic of Kenya with Safari Seekers.”

His Excellency Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to India, speaking after the resumption of direct flights between New Delhi and Manila, said that the country has been trying to recover its pre-pandemic tourism numbers. “With visa-free entry for Indian tourists and Air India reviving this route, we are confident of surpassing pre-COVID arrivals and welcoming more Indian friends to our shores.” In 2019, the Philippines welcomed 130,000 Indian tourists annually, a number that was steadily rising before the pandemic. “We were optimistic that the number would double in the coming years, but COVID happened. From 57,000 arrivals two years ago, we grew to about 78,000 last year, showing significant recovery,” he noted. His Excellency Ignacio expressed optimism about faster growth ahead. “Now we feel the increase will not just be incremental. We will reach the pre-COVID number sooner because of two enabling factors. First, the Philippines grant of 14-day visa-free entry to Indian tourists. And secondly, thanks to Air India for reviving the New Delhi–Manila route. With these two elements, we are confident we will be welcoming more Indian friends to our shores.”

Air India inaugurated India’s first non-stop flight to the Philippines. The inaugural flight to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport per schedule. H.E. Josel F. Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India, and Maria Cynthia P. Pelayo, Minister and Consul General, Embassy of the Philippines in India, joined P. Balaji, Group Head – Government, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, and other senior officials from the Embassy and Air India at Delhi airport for the inauguration of Air India’s new services to Manila. With the launch of services to Manila, Air India further strengthens its presence in Southeast Asia, now operating to eight destinations across seven countries in the region. In addition to providing non-stop connectivity to an increasing number of travellers between India and the Philippines, the new flights also open new connections for Filipino travellers to access Air India’s robust network across Europe and North America via Delhi. Air India’s flights between Delhi and Manila are operated by the airline’s Airbus A321LR aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration to offer a choice of Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class to travellers. Air India is one of the few airlines in Southeast Asia to offer fully flat beds in Business Class in the single-aisle A321 aircraft. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The launch of non-stop flights to Manila unlocks the immense potential for tourism to the Philippines, as Indian travellers, with their growing appetite for leisure travel and increasing spending power, seek new and exciting destinations. These new services will help showcase the Philippines’ vibrant culture and stunning landscapes to many Indian travellers, while …