Andaman and Nicobar Islands have unveiled an ambitious tourism roadmap featuring luxury resorts, a yacht marina and eco-adventure offerings. Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar highlighted efforts to gain UNESCO status for the Cellular Jail and boost heritage tourism. With growing tourist arrivals and expanded destinations, the islands aim to become a premium global destination rooted in sustainability and culture. 

Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “Cancellations are taking place. The options are offered to travellers as they are not preferring Air India. But this is temporary, in my opinion, since the fear has taken over decision making. There is no significant decline that is noticed. Lower booking classes would otherwise open up. Surely, the accident that happened, ought not to have happened but the airline is doing its best. We are confident of their extra care that would get invested. It will take some time for this setback to get cleared, particularly the fear driven decision making. Normalcy will take over, once repeated and consistent successes of flying is noticed.”  

Turtle Down Under in collaboration with Tourism Australia will conduct a webinar on 27 June at 12pm IST highlighting different experiences that visitors can indulge in when travelling to Australia. The webinar will include exclusive destination presentations from tourism board members. Register and attend for a chance to win an Amazon voucher. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.    

In a pioneering initiative, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a PSU under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, marked the International Day of Yoga 2025 by organising a rejuvenating yoga session in collaboration with Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) at The Ashok, New Delhi. Led by expert instructors from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), the grand event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, 25 PSUs, and over 100 attendees. Following the global theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, the event stood out as a powerful reminder that wellness transcends organisational boundaries. Chairpersons, Managing Directors, and senior officials from Central PSUs including, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. ( BPCL), Cement Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL), Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), National Divyangjan Finance & Development Corporation (NDFC), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), NBCC, ITI and NSFDC, amongst others, graced the event with their presence. NHPC’s participation, in particular, symbolised the confluence of environmental stewardship and holistic well-being, resonating deeply with this year’s theme. Ms. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, ITDC, reflected on the deeper meaning of the International Day of Yoga: “Yoga is not merely a physical discipline; it is a quiet revolution rooted in self-awareness, balance, and collective well-being. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ powerfully underscores the deep interconnection between our individual wellness and environmental harmony. As leaders from various PSUs unite on the same platform today, we are reminded that true progress begins with inner harmony and shared purpose.” Thanking all the participants, she added: “This initiative embodies the ‘whole of CPSE approach,’ where all Central Public Sector Enterprises unite in pursuit of …

Sameer Karnani, Director, Arunodaya Travels, said, “Many Indian travellers are simply not comfortable flying right now. Even those who had summer travel plans have chosen to postpone. The overall sentiment is cautious, not just because of the Air India crash but due to a globally unstable environment. Multiple factors are contributing to a visible dip in confidence.” 

West Bengal now has the highest number of certified tourist guides in India, with 1,022 trained across districts under a dedicated state. Debjit Dutta, Director & CEO, Impression Tourism Services (India), said, “This is a landmark moment for West Bengal’s tourism industry. The initiative has not only created skilled guides but also empowered local communities to become tourism entrepreneurs.” 

Following tourism associations’ initiatives to revive travel in Kashmir, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for a forward-looking discussion on tourism development. Key focus areas included infrastructure upgrade, heritage promotion and sustainable livelihoods. The meeting reflects Centre-state alignment and renewed commitment to reposition Jammu & Kashmir as a leading tourism destination. 

In a renewed appeal this month, the Ministry of Tourism urged associations and tour operators to include dolphin-centric destinations in their tour packages and itineraries. Highlighting the potential of dolphin-based eco-tourism as a sustainable and engaging travel experience, The Ministry has also shared a list of potential dolphin tourism sites compiled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The letter requests tourism stakeholders to not only promote these sites but also share details of any initiatives already undertaken in this regard. This move aligns with the government’s broader push to develop responsible wildlife tourism and enhance eco-tourism offerings in India. Tour operators are encouraged to refer to the “Handbook of Whale and Dolphin Watching” while designing experiences to ensure responsible and sustainable practices.   

Thailand has welcomed over one million Indian tourists in the first half of 2025, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This milestone reflects the growing India-Thailand travel bond, driven by visa exemptions, digital arrival cards and diverse tourism offerings. The surge reaffirms Thailand’s strong appeal among Indian travellers seeking cultural, luxury and leisure experiences.

Haldane Dodd, Executive Director, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), said, “Aviation supports 42 million jobs and $890 billion in GDP across Asia-Pacific. One in every 45 jobs is aviation-linked. For every $1 of direct aviation value, $3.70 of economic activity is generated.” He added, “The multiplier effect underscores why aviation must remain central to economic and tourism development.”