Madhya Pradesh is planning to set up a spiritual city in Ujjain ahead of Simhastha Kumbh 2028, state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced. “The plan to set up a spiritual city spanning around 3,300 hectares in Ujjain is being approved,” he said. The chief minister also stated that the state government is implementing investor-friendly policies to attract private investments across all sectors, including tourism.

IATA reported a 10% year-on-year rise in global traffic for January 2025, marking a return to double-digit growth after seven months. Capacity increased 7.1%, while load factor hit a record 82.1%. IATA director general Willie Walsh stated, “We’ve seen a notable acceleration in demand this January, with a particularly strong performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region.”

RezLive.com made waves at SATTE 2025, captivating travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, and tech innovators with a bold display of cutting-edge products and forward-thinking collaborations. Reimagining Travel Experiences At the heart of the event was the debut of our innovative Car Rental Services and an intuitive Mobile App—both designed to streamline and elevate travel experiences. Adding to the excitement, we launched luxurious Cruise Offerings and introduced our exclusive VIP Desk featuring personalized Concierge Services, all aimed at delivering seamless, hassle-free journeys. Celebrating Innovation and Partnership Kicking off the event with a vibrant beer party at our stand, the first two days were all about connection and celebration. This exclusive gathering offered our travel partners a relaxed environment to network, exchange insights, and toast to the future of travel. A Visionary Perspective Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director of Travel Designer Group, shared his enthusiasm: “At RezLive.com, we’re redefining travel. Our new Car Rental Solutions and Mobile App are not just innovations—they’re a revolution in how our partners engage with us and offer something new to their end clients.” Empowering Travel Agents Our dynamic “Get More” initiative—featuring RezRewards and the RezVault bonus—won rave reviews. These programs are crafted to boost profits and add genuine value, rewarding our partners for their active engagement and commitment. A Milestone Event SATTE 2025 proved to be a landmark for RezLive.com, sparking meaningful discussions, forging strategic alliances, and affirming our role as a trusted leader in global travel solutions.

Traditionally dominated by travellers from the U.K., U.S., and France, Kerala’s Tourism Department is now exploring untapped markets. In a significant move, a meeting was held with Russian authorities to facilitate a chartered flight from Russia to Kerala. While the discussions showed promise, logistical hurdles such as a shortage of Boeing aircraft in Russia remain a concern. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to attract Russian tourists, especially considering the growing number of Russians traveling to destinations like Turkey and the UAE due to restrictions imposed by European countries.

WTTC recently unveiled a report highlighting the gap between travellers’ desire for sustainability and their actual behaviour. According to the report, cost and quality remain top priorities, with over 50% prioritising cost. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, stated, “Travellers care about sustainability, but cost and quality are king. Businesses must offer affordable sustainable options to inspire change.”

Lufthansa Group’s integration with ITA Airways brings seamless benefits for travellers. Frequent flyer programs are now interchangeable, lounge access expands across 130 locations, and codeshare flights offer over 100 new connections. From March 30, 2025, ITA Airways will also move to Lufthansa’s terminals in Frankfurt and Munich for smoother transfers.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, announced that the Government of India has sanctioned ₹3295.76 crore for 40 projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. These projects aim to develop iconic tourist centres globally, with guidelines issued for evaluation and submission, and to enhance branding and marketing efforts

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her record eighth Union Budget, has announced a major push for the tourism sector, focusing on infrastructure, employment, and connectivity. Here are the key highlights: 🔹 ₹1.5 Lakh Crore for Tourism & Infrastructure – Interest-free loans for states to support capital expenditure and reforms in tourism development. 🔹 Top 50 Tourist Destinations to be Upgraded – Developed in partnership with states through a challenge mode, with land provision by state governments. Hotels in these areas will be included in the Infrastructure Harmonious Master List framework for better funding. 🔹 Employment & Skill Development in Hospitality – Intensive training programmes for youth in Institutes of Hospitality Management, along with MUDRA loans to support homestay businesses. 🔹 Boost to Regional Connectivity – The UDAN scheme will expand to 120 new destinations, improving access to remote and hilly regions, including helipads and smaller airports. 🔹 Simplified E-Visa & Incentives for Tourism Growth – Visa fee waivers for select tourists and performance-linked incentives for states to enhance cleanliness, marketing, and destination management. 🔹 Spiritual & Medical Tourism Focus – Special emphasis on Buddhist circuit destinations and “Heal in India” initiative to promote medical tourism through private sector partnerships and easier visa norms. 🔹 Greenfield Airport for Bihar – A new airport will be developed to meet future demands, alongside expansions at Patna and a brownfield airport project.

TeamLease’s Employment Outlook Report for HY2 FY2024-25 highlights an 8.2% net employment change in the travel and hospitality sector, with 66% of surveyed companies planning workforce expansion. Growth is driven by smart tourism technologies, MICE revival, and sustainable practices, creating demand for skilled professionals in areas like sustainability coordination and smart travel design. 

Jammu and Kashmir’s Sustainable Promotion of Emerging Alternate Destination (SPREAD) initiative seeks multilateral funding to develop alternate tourism destinations and ease overcrowding. “We aim to distribute tourist traffic evenly and ensure sustainable growth by adhering to global standards,” said Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. The initiative focuses on creating equitable opportunities while promoting sustainable tourism across the region.