Janice Alyosius

Radisson Hotels drives India tourism with 2025 openings, 50% in tier II and III cities

Radisson Hotel Group accelerates India expansion with 2025 openings, including properties at Prayagraj, Delhi MG Road, Mount Abu, and Indore. With 10 hotels launched between January to August — more than 50% in tier II and III markets — Nikhil Sharma, MD and CEO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “India is one of our most dynamic growth engines globally, and 2025 reflects rising travel aspirations.”

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FLY91 to induct 4th ATR for fleet expansion, as it strengthens RCS-UDAN network with 14 daily flights

After launching three ATR 72-600s, FLY91 will soon add a fourth aircraft. Manoj Chacko, CEO & MD, FLY91, said, “We are steadily growing capacity while maintaining our regional focus. Each induction is planned with measured growth in mind.” The company currently operates 14 daily flights under the RCS-UDAN scheme.

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We’ve started assessing hotels, destinations on 5-leaf rating to promote green tourism

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Government of India, said, “Tourism is the most vibrant industry and has a great future ahead.” Highlighting sustainability as a key challenge, Shekhawat added, “We have started assessing hotels and tourist destinations on the five-leaf rating, motivating the sector to adopt more sustainable practices nationwide.”

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Sports Authority of India cuts stadia rentals 20–50% for events

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced a significant reduction in rental tariffs for its stadia, cutting rates by 20% to 50% for both sporting and non-sporting events. Following extensive meetings and presentations by stakeholders from the events and live entertainment industry on 2nd September 2025, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Delhi Tourism Minister Shri Kapil Mishra, and Sports Secretary Shri Hari Ranjan Rao have committed to providing robust support to the events industry. In continuation of this initiative, the Chairman of the SAI Governing Body has announced a new schedule of rates and usage norms, effective immediately. This move is part of the government’s efforts to transform Delhi into a global hub for live events, enhancing the city’s infrastructure and support for the events industry. This new framework supersedes all previous circulars and notifications, aiming to streamline the booking process and ensure fair and transparent access to SAI facilities nationwide. The revisions reflect current usage patterns, demand, and operational costs. Notably, there has been a significant decline in the demand for passes across various categories, dropping from 5% to just 1%. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) believes these adjustments will enhance facility accessibility, ensure efficient utilization, and provide fair pricing for all event organizers. “By simplifying processes and reducing costs, we aim to create a vibrant cultural scene that benefits both artists and audiences. This initiative will not only boost tourism but also create numerous employment opportunities. We invite organisers to bring more events and live concerts to the city, supporting the ‘Concert Economy’ vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” stated Shri Kapil Mishra, Delhi Tourism Minister. He also added that a …

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Group Concorde recognised for outstanding passenger distribution at India Travel Awards

Group Concorde was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to International Passenger Distribution Award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Pooja Ahluwalia, General Manager – Corporate Passenger Sales, India, said, “This recognition reflects the strength of our partnerships with Malaysia Airlines, Korean Air, China Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, and the dedication of our team.”

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Need to focus on country-specific strategy for attracting global tourists: Vidyavathi

Speaking at the 55th FHRAI Annual Convention V Vidyavathi, Secretary Tourism, Government of India, called for a stronger public-private partnership as government gears up for its Tourism Business Plan. “To attract global tourists with the right kind of experiences, we need to focus on country-specific strategy. There cannot be one-size-fits-all strategy for tourist coming to India from different parts of the world with different expectations. We also need to see how we can create attractive packages for lesser-known destinations.”

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Anil Parashar of ITQ Technologies wins DDP Game Changer Award at India Travel Awards

Anil Parashar, Executive Director, ITQ Technologies, was honoured with the DDP Game Changer Award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Calling it a responsibility more than an award, he emphasised collective action. “We must contribute to building the tourism sector that needs support, and unite to make India a top destination.”

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India must rebuild traditional inbound markets amid decade-long decline: Suman Billa

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and DG, Ministry of Tourism, flagged a decade-long decline in leisure arrivals from key markets, such as the UK, US, and Canada. While Europe and the Americas show worrying trends, growth is emerging from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. He stressed rebuilding traditional markets alongside newer opportunities.

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