The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has hosted the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow across New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai from 8-12 September 2025. These events, part of a series of roadshow events hosted by DCT Abu Dhabi, provided local travel trade partners with a comprehensive overview of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism offerings, upcoming attractions, and strategic partnerships. The three-city roadshow showcased the growth opportunities Abu Dhabi presents to Indian travellers, while facilitating meetings between representatives from Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, airlines, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and India’s top travel agencies and tour operators. India is Abu Dhabi’s top source market for inbound tourism. In 2024, the emirate welcomed over 360,000 Indian hotel guests, a 43% increase from the previous year, and is projected to welcome over 400,000 visitors in 2025. Indian travellers have shown strong interest in Abu Dhabi as a destination, with the growth in visitors being driven by an extensive calendar of live events, cultural experiences, increased flight connectivity from major Indian cities, and a diverse range of travel products that appeal to Indian families, luxury seekers, MICE travellers, and trade partners. This represents an exciting opportunity for India’s travel industry professionals to engage with a growing market. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The roadshows in India marked a significant step forward in our collaborative work with our valued partners to create memorable experiences for visitors travelling from India to Abu Dhabi. It also allowed India’s travel trade representatives to explore the innovative ideas and shared value that DCT Abu Dhabi has strived to create within the industry, a value that we believe benefits everyone and …

Udaan, a visa concierge and travel services firm with over three decades of expertise in visa concierge, has signed an MoU with Common Service Centres Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) to collaborate on CSC Safar, a travel services programme by CSC E-Governance Services India. The MoU was signed by Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, from CSC and Rajan Dua, MD & Founder, Udaan in the presence of senior officials. Under this partnership, Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) will be empowered to assist applicants with their visa requirements. To ensure a seamless experience, CSC Safar provides VLEs with a dedicated mobile application and web interface. With a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India, VLEs will enable customers to access visa services alongside other travel-related needs at convenient, local locations. According to Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, “this partnership with Udaan Travel to provide visa services on the CSC Safar portal will make the application process simpler and more accessible, empowering VLEs to serve travellers with ease and efficiency.” According to Rajan Dua, Founder and MD, Udaan. “We are proud to collaborate with CSC to simplify international travel for Indian travellers, thereby increasing our reach to a wider base of travellers.  At Udaan India, our longstanding commitment has been to make visa Concierge seamless and stress-free. This partnership enables us to extend our trusted expertise to CSC customers, ensuring they are fully prepared for travel with confidence and ease.” The MoU encompasses all aspects of visa Concierge services for Rural India, including application support, documentation guidance, appointment scheduling, and customer service.

The Airbus XLR, arriving later this year, will extend IndiGo’s flying range. New direct routes, such as Athens, and increased frequencies to destinations like Nairobi, will strengthen the airline’s international presence while unlocking untapped markets and wider travel options for Indians.

Melbourne has achieved number one ranking in Australia and in the Asia Pacific in the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index rankings for 2025. The city also earned first position in the Metropolis and Mega Cities category. The GDS Index is the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement program for tourism and events destinations, evaluating cities across four key pillars: environmental strategy and performance, social sustainability, destination management, and supplier engagement. Melbourne rose to 11th place worldwide, from 24th place in 2024, cementing its place as a global leader in sustainability and its commitment to continuous improvement across the visitor economy. The city’s index score improved from 76.6 per cent in 2024 to 83 per cent in 2025, the most significant improvement in the past seven years. A key element in Melbourne’s success was the strong performance of suppliers across the city who play a critical role in delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. Organisations, including hotels and event venues, demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices that elevated Melbourne’s ability to host world-class events with minimal environmental impact. The strength of Team Melbourne and the city’s collaborative approach to event delivery also played a crucial role in the result. Melbourne Convention Bureau’s strong partnerships with the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), as well as the support of the Victorian government, allow us to embed sustainability into the way we attract, plan and deliver business events, creating world-class events that leave a positive legacy. The City of Melbourne collaborated closely with MCB on our submission, ensuring our efforts in being considered a sustainable event destination were recognised on the world stage. The City of Melbourne …

Tamilnadu Travel Expo 2025 will be held from 26–28 September at IDA Scudder Auditorium, Madurai. The event, designed to bring together diverse stakeholders of the travel industry from across the country, invites them to explore Tamil Nadu’s offerings in hospitality, wellness retreats, and wedding destinations, and not just its heritage.

Google data reveals that India generates over 12 billion travel-related searches every year. This sheer volume confirms India’s position as one of the largest travel interest markets globally. The searches cover categories such as flights, hotels, destinations, visas, cruises, road trips, and more. The figure reflects how Indians are increasingly relying on digital platforms for inspiration, research, planning, and booking. The number underscores both the scale of India’s appetite for travel and the central role of digital channels in shaping decisions.

On winning the Excellence in Full Service Travel Solutions honour at the India Travel Awards 2025, Romil Pant, Executive Vice President & Head – Holidays, Thomas Cook (India), said, “We are proud and humbled to receive this Maya trophy. It inspires us to enhance customer experiences, promote sustainable tourism, and ensure our travellers enjoy the very best, both within India and across the globe.”

Varun Chadha, CEO & Founder, Tirun Travel Marketing, said, “Our estimates suggest that 70% of travel is inspired, and at least 40% is transacted outside the traditional travel distribution network.” He suggests that the trade shift from sales to marketing hires, become the influencers and get brands to invest in them, and develop the channel by collaborating with banks, tech companies, and event planners.

Zimbabwe took a bold stride during the 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo, as the event was hosted for the very first time in Mutare, Manicaland Province, after 17 years in Bulawayo. The milestone was amplified by the inaugural Air Zimbabwe flight from Harare to Mutare, welcomed in grand style at Grand Reef Aerodrome by Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Felix Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, alongside senior officials from Air Zimbabwe, and the Airports Company of Zimbabwe. This landmark flight signaled a new era of accessibility for the Eastern Highlands. As part of its strategic drive to captivate the Indian market, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in India, invited nine leading Indian travel buyers for an immersive journey from the Eastern Highlands to Victoria Falls. The Embassy continues to play a pivotal role in marketing Zimbabwe as an authentic and multi-dimensional destination, ensuring that the country’s rich cultural, natural, and adventure offerings are effectively communicated to Indian travelers. The journey began in Nyanga, where the timeless charm of Montclair Resort & Casino set the tone with warm hospitality and breathtaking vistas. At Aberfoyle Lodge, the group experienced a retreat — with misty mornings, waterfall nearby, and organic meals tailored to Indian palates, all wrapped in a Victorian-era ambiance. Highlights of the Eastern Highlands included: Scaling Mount Nyangani – conquering Zimbabwe’s tallest peak (2,593m) for sweeping views above the clouds Adrenaline at Mutarazi Falls – ziplining across Africa’s second-highest waterfall, an unforgettable heart-racing feat Classic hospitality – from the …

AVIAREPS India successfully hosted the maiden edition of its global “Around the World Roadshow”, bringing the showcase to Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. With over 200 travel agents in attendance, the event created an impactful platform for global partners to engage directly with the Indian travel trade. The roadshow brought together an impressive lineup of international partners, including Scalo Milano Outlet and More and Trenitalia from Italy; Atomium, Belgium Beer World, Mini Europe, and Visit Brussels from Belgium; Sarova Hotels & Resorts from Kenya; Magnicity in Europe and US, and the Utah Office of Tourism along with American Airlines from the United States. This diverse participation highlighted the strong interest of global tourism boards, attractions, and hospitality brands in the Indian outbound travel market. Commenting on the success, Ellona Pereira, General Manager, AVIAREPS India, said: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to our first Around the World Roadshow in India. This platform allowed us to connect global partners with the right audience, creating strong opportunities for future business. At AVIAREPS, we live by our mission— ‘to bring the world to the people in it,’ and this initiative is a true reflection of that promise. We look forward to building this into an annual tradition with even more exciting partners from across the globe.” Francesco Cacciapuoti, Chief Sales Officer Trenitalia, stating on the event:” Trenitalia (FS Group), in collaboration with its partner AVIAREPS, has successfully concluded its mission in India to strengthen brand visibility within a strategic and high-potential market. The AVIAREPS Roadshow proved to be a good choice for Trenitalia’s first visit to India: the team was able to connect with dozens of carefully selected new operators. Trenitalia is committed …