Jay Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji Holidays, said that luxury travel is evolving. With increasing disposable incomes, travellers from both metro and tier II and III cities are seeking luxurious holidays. In fact, many senior citizens and retired individuals are also wanting to travel in luxury and explore new destinations. 

ExpoInn Suites & Convention plans to expand by adding two new hotels, increasing its total number of keys to 308. Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, said, “One of these new hotels will be positioned in the luxury segment, while the other will cater to the upper mid-scale market.” 

A new GBTA study reveals that 75% of travel buyers are interested in adopting an AI-powered travel program chatbot to automatically answer questions specifically about their program. Additionally, 51% are interested in blockchain-based booking, while 49% favor blockchain-based payment solutions. 

Are you dreaming of trading your couch for a front-row seat at the Olympics or the F1 Grand Prix? You’re not alone! India’s sports fever is reaching new heights, fuelled by a growing passion among fans to witness global sporting events live. Imagine yourself soaking up the electric atmosphere of a global sporting event, cheering on your favourite team, athlete, or diver, and exploring amazing new cultures. That’s what sports tourism is all about! In fact, Skyscanner’s 2024 Travel Trends report reveals that more than ever, cultural exploration will be a priority for travellers in 2024. Another recent ‘First Trip’ report highlights that young Indian travellers crave the excitement of life’s defining moments, with 46% inspired to jet off overseas to experience sports events and other big cultural events. Clearly, the desire to combine sports with adventure and cultural immersion is driving a new wave of travel. Whether it’s experiencing the grand spectacle of the Olympics or the high-speed excitement of the F1 Grand Prix, let Skyscanner be your go-to travel companion, helping you find the perfect flight and accommodation for your next big sporting escapade. Olympics – Paris, France (July 26 – August 11) Picture yourself in the City of Love, in the presence of world-class athletes. The Paris Olympics is more than just a sporting event; it’s a cultural extravaganza! From the thrill of watching the world’s best athletes compete to Eiffel Tower selfies and indulging in world-class cuisine, your senses will be on overdrive. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that excitement is building up. That’s why Skyscanner is seeing an increase of 28% in flight bookings to Paris, France for the week …

Fortune Hotels, a member of ITC’s hotel group, announced its latest signing in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. With stellar views of the Holy Ganges, this under development property is all set to open in June 2025. Poised to feature stylish well-appointed rooms and suites, this upscale retreat is designed to cater to the diverse needs of the modern day traveller, be it the soul seeker or an adventure enthusiast. In addition, the resort will consist of an array of contemporary amenities, including a spacious café, a versatile all-day diner, a chic bar, and a banquet hall suitable for various events and gatherings. Guests can also look forward to rejuvenating at the state-of-the-art spa or by the rooftop swimming pool enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Speaking on the signing, Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Hotels said, “We are committed to Fortune Hotels expansion plans into tier II and III cities, with a special focus on leisure markets. This upcoming property, strategically located in the beautiful confines of Uttarakhand, makes for a very strong business proposition, and is our fifth signing in the state. Its impressive location and spiritual fabric adds another feather to our leisure offerings that our guests can travel to and explore.” Rishikesh, located at an altitude of 340 m, is a revered city on the banks of the river Ganges, approximately 45 kms from Dehradun. While on one hand its known as the ‘Yoga capital of the world’, attracting visitors from across the globe seeking peace and spiritual enrichment; on the other hand, it’s an adventure seekers paradise flocked by rafters seeking to experience the rapids and trekkers eager to scale its hilly terrain. Moreover, Rishikesh is the gateway …

Cementing its stronghold in Tamil Nadu, Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of the 100-room Park Inn by Radisson Chennai ECR. Set to open in Q2 2028, the new hotel marks the debut of Park Inn by Radisson brand in Chennai and is being developed in partnership with Chanda Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Tamil Nadu’s robust economic growth and strategic position as a diverse hub catering to a wide range of travelers makes it an important market for the Group. Conveniently located on Chennai’s bustling East Coast Road, Park Inn by Radisson Chennai ECR offers unmatched accessibility for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel is easily reachable from Chennai International Airport, Chennai Central, and Chennai Bus Terminal by car or taxi. It further enjoys proximity to Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) which is among the key business hubs in Chennai and home to major corporations. “Tamil Nadu offers a significant opportunity to us for growth and expansion. With its diverse and strong demand, the region has an appetite for hotels and resorts across segments. This new signing is a welcome addition to our existing portfolio and allows us to leverage the region’s growing tourism potential. By expanding in key markets like Chennai, we aim to provide exceptional service and memorable experiences across our portfolio in South Asia,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “We are delighted to announce the expansion of our upper-midscale brand, Park Inn by Radisson, into Chennai. This new signing marks our fourth hotel in this dynamic city, complementing our existing brands such as Radisson Blu and Park Plaza. This development is a key milestone in our …

In the years following the pandemic, people were simply grateful to travel again. Now, travelers are raising the bar. Not only is the demand for travel higher than ever before, but so are the budgets. Travel agents are seeing a higher demand for luxury travel experiences, and research shows that it’s only expected to increase with time. Luxury travel takes many forms What does luxury travel involve? It depends on who you ask. When people think of luxury travel, most think of extravagance, pampering and indulgence. And while that may be true, luxury travel is far more complex than five-star hotels and white-glove service. Nowadays, luxury travel embodies a unique, holistic experience tailored to the passions and interests of the traveler. This isn’t just hearsay; it’s a core principle echoed by our network of expert luxury travel agents. “Clients are looking for unique and personalized experiences,” said Tara, owner of Resfeber Travel, Inc., in a recent Expedia survey. “When they travel, they just don’t want a hotel. They want something unique and different, and they will pay for these experiences.” For the travelers that want to lounge and relax, a luxury experience is something like a private bungalow perched in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. Every aspect revolves around comfort, ease, and having everything in one place. For the more adventurous traveler, however, a luxury experience might look like an African safari. In that case, it’s all about being immersed in nature and exploring the terrain. The devil is in the details Regardless of individual preferences, there are two key aspects that make a travel experience truly luxurious. The first is acute attention to detail. Travelers want to feel …

New research from Collinson shows that sports fans are the biggest spenders, with 55% of Indian sports enthusiasts spending over US$500 per trip. Additionally, 69% of Indian sports and music fans fly to see their favorite team or artist. Globally, including in India, 80% of event travellers prefer exploring new destinations over familiar ones.   

Israel Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar to gain insights and updates on the destination, today at 12 pm. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the serene shores of the Dead Sea, experience Israel’s exciting offerings. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. 

Gujarat has emerged as a top Indian state for foreign tourists. Foreign tourist visits surged from 11,319 in 2021 to 17,77,215 in 2022, and reached 28,06,871 in 2023, reflecting a 58% increase. This significant growth, highlighted in recent Union Ministry of Tourism data, underscores Gujarat’s rising appeal with 28.06 lakh visitors in 2023.