Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort and Spa proudly announces the appointment of Debabrata Banerjee as Director of Food and Beverage, bringing to the foothills of the Himalayas over 17 years of dynamic leadership in global hospitality.   With a foundation built on operational precision and a genuine passion for delivering memorable guest experiences, Banerjee has carved a path through some of the world’s most esteemed hospitality institutions—including Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, The Oberoi Bangalore, Alila Diwa Goa, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, and Park Hyatt St. Kitts.   Beginning his career in 2008 within the bustling food and beverage sector, he steadily advanced through key roles that sharpened his mastery over every aspect of hospitality management. From flawlessly steering restaurant operations and nurturing dynamic teams to managing vendor relations and orchestrating large-scale events, Debabrata blends attention to detail with cultural empathy. His extensive experience spans diverse regions, including India, Africa, and the Caribbean, where he has adapted to unique guest expectations with finesse.   A standout milestone in his journey is the launch of a comprehensive inflight catering division at Park Hyatt Zanzibar. Created from the ground up, this ambitious project delivers over 500 airline-standard meals daily, reflecting Debabrata’s innovative spirit and ability to elevate standards well beyond traditional hotel services.   At Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa, the professional will lead comprehensive food and beverage management covering all restaurant outlets, bar operations, room service delivery, and specialized event dining services.   “The food and beverage sector never stops evolving, and that’s exactly what energizes me about this work. At Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa, I’m focused on creating dining experiences that catch guests off guard in …

Sirigesanong Trirattanasongpol, Director, TAT, Delhi Office shared that IndiGo and TAT are in dialogue to start a direct flight from India (city not confirmed) to Chiang Mai. Stakeholders believe that it will boost the numbers of Indian travellers to Chiang Mai i.e. North Thailand. Currently Indians mostly prefer South Thailand due to direct connectivity. This may help Thailand in reaching its target of welcoming around 2.3 million Indians in 2025.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, said, “India has great infrastructure, but to grow further, we must embrace digital and seamless travel.” Citing her easy UK-to-India visa experience, she stressed replicating that for others. “We should learn from China’s short-stay visa model-fast, digital and paperless,” she added, advocating smart reforms to support tourism recovery and expansion. 

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Policy 2025 to promote tourism, improve accommodation standards, and generate local jobs. Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the policy enhances tourist experiences while supporting economic growth. It also mandates NOCs from local bodies for operational compliance by eligible homestay and B&B units. 

Commenting on India’s outbound, KD Singh, Founder & President, TravelBullz.com, said, “India’s outbound market is going to grow by at least 10-12%, minimum, if not more. We are issuing a million passports a month. That is the base for the future travel people. Indians who have seen it all will go out but they are wanting to go to Kenya or Egypt. They are going to make walking tours. Overall, their way to look at a holiday is changing.” 

Dr Jyotsna Suri, CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, revealed plans to develop a mid-segment hotel in Chitrakoot as part of a broader focus on religious tourism. “We also have an interest in developing the religious circuit. We’re not really keen to do more hotels in the metros. I now want to move to offbeat locations,” she said. Suri emphasised a shift from metro cities to emerging destinations.

Willie Walsh, DG, IATA, said India is committed to addressing environmental challenges in aviation. He highlighted that India’s fleet is very young compared to the global average. With new aircraft orders, the average age of planes operating in India is expected to remain one of the youngest fleets worldwide, supporting greener air travel.

According to Skyscanner, 96% of Indian travellers plan to travel the same or more this summer, with 95% prioritising maximising their summer vacations. A notable trend is the growing preference for quieter, less-crowded destinations, chosen by over 52% of Indians. This shift, along with rising interest in off-season travel, reflects a move towards more mindful and crowd-free holiday experiences. 

In a joint visit led by MTOA, key travel associations including ADTOI, TAAI, TAFI, OTOAI and IATO met Farooq and Omar Abdullah in Kashmir to discuss tourism revival. “The situation is normal with most experiences open,” said Dharmendra Singh, Chairman-Maharashtra Chapter, ADTOI. “Inquiries have started, and I believe things will improve by June-July,” he added. 

Julia Simpson, President and CEO, WTTC, revealed India’s travel sector reached ₹21 trillion in 2024, driven by ₹3.1 trillion international and ₹15.5 trillion domestic spending. For 2025, spending is forecast at ₹3.2 trillion international and ₹16.8 trillion domestic, with overall contribution expected to hit ₹22 trillion. By 2035, the sector may nearly double to ₹42 trillion.