McKinsey’s latest report estimates that paid, structured tourist activities account for roughly 25 per cent of global experience spending, totalling about $250 billion to $310 billion per year. This figure comprises tourist spending on rock concerts, baseball games, history walks, nature hikes, theme park visits, spa treatments, museum tours, and a host of other activities. 

Vikram Madhok, Managing Director of Abercrombie & Kent India, highlights the need to streamline visa processes to enhance India’s appeal as a travel destination. “For India, introducing visa-on-arrival option for key source markets could be a game-changer. It would greatly improve the ease of travel and make India a more accessible and attractive option for international visitors,” he says. 

To boost inbound tourism, India is participating in the WTM in London. With a significant Indian diaspora of 1.9 million, the UK ranks as India’s third-largest source market. The Ministry of Tourism highlighted, 9.5 million foreign tourists visited India in 2023, with the UK contributing nearly 1 million visitors, making it the third-largest source market for inbound tourism. 

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual Adventure Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3rd to 8th December 2024. The six-day convention will bring together adventure tourism professionals from across the country to explore and highlight Arunachal’s immense potential as India’s next premier adventure destination. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu firmly believes that the state holds incredible promise as India’s leading adventure tourism destination and expressed optimism that the convention will showcase the untapped opportunities Arunachal has to offer, bringing both economic growth and global recognition of Arunachal. State’s Tourism Minister P D Sona too underscores the importance of investment in adventure tourism that will not only drive economic development but also preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He is of the opinion that nurturing sustainable tourism will create a bright future for India as a global adventure hub, starting The convention will feature a packed schedule of sessions, panel discussions, and awards recognizing excellence in the industry. Adventure tourism leaders from across India will join local operators to foster partnerships, with an aim to create sustainable tourism models for Arunachal and beyond. Exclusive familiarization (FAM) trips will allow attendees to explore the state’s breath-taking, unexplored terrains, showcasing its adventure potential. Preceding the convention, a specialized adventure guide training program will be held in Itanagar, the state’s capita;, led by experts to help build local capacity and professionalism in the adventure tourism sector. The unveiling of ATOAI’s roadmap for Arunachal Pradesh will further outline future growth and investment opportunities in the region. As per its President Ajeet Bajaj, the ATOAI is dedicated to making India one of the world’s premier …

VisitBritain to organise a regional roadshow in Bengaluru in November, which is for the entire Middle East and Asia region, called ‘Destination Britain MEA’. This will see five markets converge in the city – the GCC, India, China, Japan and Korea – who will meet about 35 suppliers from the UK. Around 75 buyers will be hosted in total, of which 20-25 will be from India, and a similar number from the GCC and China as well. The suppliers will be a mix of hotels, smaller tourism boards and DMCs.  

Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, projected that India’s tourism sector could create up to 100 million jobs by 2047. He emphasised that with improved infrastructure and development of smaller destinations, the sector is poised to become a significant driver of economic growth. 

With a recovery rate of 86%, the Indian market is recovering much faster from the Covid pandemic than all other Asian countries. Tourism Economics forecasts 1.6 million overnight stays from India in Germany every year by the end of the decade. The Indian market is also promising in terms of value creation. According to IPK International, the total turnover of all Indian tourists in Germany in 2023 was 900 million euros.  

WTTC’s latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR) reveals that Travel & Tourism accounted for 6.7% of global emissions in 2023, down from 7.8% in 2019. Global GHG emissions were 12% lower than the 2019 peak, with GHG intensity decreasing by 8.4%. This indicates that the sector’s growth is becoming cleaner and more sustainable

Join the Sabah Tourism Board for an engaging travel trade webinar today at 12 pm to explore the region’s stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Learn how your business can benefit from Malaysia’s visa-free entry and the growing eco-tourism potential. Register now at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 for valuable insights and a chance to win exclusive prizes. 

Cozmo Travel won the Best Emerging TMC in India award at the India Travel Awards, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Santosh Kanchan, Country Head, India, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We began with visas, evolved into DMCs, and now serve global corporate clients. This recognition for our hard work is truly rewarding, and it’s an honour to receive the Maya trophy.”