Accor, a global hospitality group, and InterGlobe, India’s foremost travel conglomerate, are pleased to announce that Gaurav Bhushan will be Chairman of their proposed joint hospitality enterprise in India.   This new entity will bring together the development, operations, and management platforms of Accor and InterGlobe in India, and represents a bold step towards creating a market-leading player in one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets. The new entity will serve as the exclusive growth engine for Accor’s brands across the country.   As Co-CEO of Ennismore, CEO of Lifestyle & Leisure Brands and member of the Executive Committee at Accor, Gaurav Bhushan brings more than 30 years of strategic leadership and global experience in the hospitality industry. An Accor veteran, he previously served as Global Chief Development Officer at Accor, overseeing the expansion of the Group’s portfolio from 12 to over 45 brands, and spearheading more than 500 hotel signings annually.   “India’s hospitality sector is entering a transformative phase, and this new platform is perfectly positioned to capture its full potential,” said Gaurav Bhushan. “It will be an honour for me to chair this ambitious venture and work alongside exceptional partners and teams at both Accor and InterGlobe to deliver meaningful growth and innovation for the Indian traveler.”

Amadeus has acquired travel intelligence specialist ForwardKeys to enhance its data and analytics capabilities. The acquisition offers strong portfolio and customer synergy, supporting Amadeus’ growth in travel insights. With the deal recently finalised, Amadeus is prioritising communication with key stakeholders, including customers and partners. Further details on the integration and strategic direction will be shared in due course.

In immediate response to the recent situation in Jammu & Kashmir, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is launching the “Let’s Visit J&K” campaign—a strong Community-Tourism- Industry Connect initiative. TAAI, the oldest, largest, and nodal association representing the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality industry in India, is on the path to celebrating its 75th year in 2026. As a leader and custodian of India’s tourism sector, TAAI stands committed to supporting the people and the economy of Jammu & Kashmir, where tourism is a primary source of livelihood. The Need of the Hour: Reignite Tourism in J&K Jammu & Kashmir remains one of the most iconic, scenic, and culturally rich destinations in India and the world. While recent disturbances may have created concern, they cannot overshadow the timeless allure and glory of the region – an incident aimed to cause chaos & disturbance, cannot steal away the glory of J&K. Tourism has long been a harbinger of peace—a sentiment echoed by TAAI for decades. By encouraging people to travel to J&K, we are not only supporting livelihoods but also reinforcing a message of resilience, unity, and hope. A Call for Collective Support India, a beacon of secularism and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, must stand together in solidarity when a region’s tourism potential is threatened by disruption. As a national industry leader, TAAI cannot stay silent. We are launching the “Let’s Visit J&K” campaign with urgency and commitment. At its meeting held on 16th May 2025, the Managing Committee and Chapter Chairpersons of TAAI unanimously resolved to actively promote travel to Jammu & Kashmir. We are mobilizing our network to reach targeted consumers—families, groups, and individuals—through widespread engagement and …

Subhash Goyal, Founder Chairman, STIC Travel Group, has called for a stronger synergy between aviation and tourism to drive inbound growth. Highlighting soaring airfares, he stressed the urgent need for increased airline capacity. “If we want the right numbers, we need more air seats and a move towards an open skies policy,” he said.  

Abhay Sinha, Director General, SEPC, said, “We are going to have a calendar of events in tourism, with more focus on MICE, maybe in a month or two. We already have a tentative calendar including WTM, IT Berlin, FITUR, and roadshows with embassies. Once funding support is confirmed, we will finalise and freeze the calendar.”  

The Delhi government is planning a ‘Branding Delhi’ campaign, announced Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. The campaign aims to position Delhi as a prime tourist destination, not just a transit hub. Initiatives include an international film festival to attract filmmakers, an investment summit to draw investors and a new tourism circuit linking landmarks like the National War Memorial.  

Aeroprime Group, leading Airlines Services Group based out of India, proudly announces the launch of Glid – a next-generation, unified airline retailing platform that seamlessly connects leading airlines to travel sellers through a single connection, plug-and-play technology. Through a single API integration, OTAs, consolidators, and travel sellers can instantly access airline fares, ancillaries, and inventory from an expanding global network of Full-Service Carriers (FSCs) and Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), including NDC and XML API-based content. By eliminating integration complexities and delays, delivering 24 x 7 managed customer service, and enhancing omnichannel efficiency, Glid empowers airlines to accelerate time to market and unlock new revenue opportunities all through one powerful, service driven platform. “Glid is our vision for the future of seamless air retailing,” said Mr. Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director, Glid (Part of Aeroprime Group). “It bridges the gap between airlines and travel sellers through a unified, fast, and scalable platform. Over the years, we’ve seen how fragmented and inefficient airline distribution can limit growth for both airlines and travel sellers. With Glid, we’ve created a platform that not only simplifies integration but also empowers our partners to unlock new revenue streams, expand market reach, deliver superior customer experiences, and scale faster. This launch is just the beginning, a step towards a future where every connection with the consumer is intelligent, frictionless, and built for growth.” Glid is purpose-built for airline growth, offering a single connection to a vast network of OTAs, tour operators, TMCs, consolidators, and aggregators streamlining distribution and accelerating time to market. Airlines can monetize value-added services such as seat selection, baggage, meals, and bundles through modern offer and order management capabilities. Whether targeting niche markets or …

As families gear up for summer vacations, Air India has launched dedicated ‘Family Assistance’ counters to provide support services to passengers travelling with family members, including children, elderly passengers and those who require special assistance. Currently available at Delhi airport, this new initiative offers a one-stop solution for passengers who may require support with their baggage, seats, or even wheelchair assistance. Family members travelling together will be greeted at the dedicated ‘Family Assistance’ counter through a personalised meet and assist initiative. Passengers can seek support for specific requirements, such as last-minute special assistance, including wheelchair provision for a member with reduced mobility (that was not requisitioned for during booking), or requesting seats close to each other (depending on seat availability if these were not blocked together during booking). By offering focussed support, the initiative helps facilitate a smooth check-in process, and prompt baggage handling, thereby minimising wait time and enhancing the on-ground experience. Family members are also provided guidance on immigration and customs queries. For children travelling alone, who have not availed of our Unaccompanied Minor service, or for passengers with reduced mobility, assistance will be provided to help them navigate from the check-in counter to the designated boarding gate of their flight while completing all the airport formalities.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the opening of Ginger Dehradun. This new addition to the Ginger portfolio brings the brand’s signature lean luxe philosophy to the capital of Uttarakhand. Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL, said, “Ginger Dehradun reflects our focused approach to accelerating growth for the brand in high-potential markets. The mid-scale segment continues to see strong demand driven by rising domestic travel. Dehradun, with its mix of leisure, commercial activity as a state capital and presence of multiple educational institutions offers itself as a good market for diverse hospitality brands like Ginger.” Strategically located near major tourist attractions and commercial hubs, Ginger Dehradun offers 72 rooms designed for comfort. Guests can enjoy all-day dining at Qmin, a smart meeting room, the fully equipped fitness centre, and the vibrant community spaces. Nestled in the heart of the Doon Valley, Dehradun, serves as a gateway to several popular tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, including Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. Known for its prestigious educational institutions and numerous attractions including Robber’s Cave and Sahastradhara, Dehradun is one of India’s most popular hill cities.

VFS Global launches its optional CSP Assistance Service for Germany student and vocational training visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi, India, to provide seamless support with registration and submission on the Consular Services Portal. Applicants requiring support with the CSP process can book an appointment to visit our centre for step-by-step support with registration, assistance in completing the online application form and scanning and uploading required documents. VFS Global is the only official and authorised provider providing this service. Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “Many applicants are unfamiliar with online visa application processes and often rely on unauthorised third parties that charge exorbitant fees to complete tasks such as CSP registration, form filling, document scanning, and uploading. To ensure a secure, affordable, and accessible alternative, VFS Global is introducing an optional assistance service at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) designed to assist applicants in navigating the CSP platform with ease.”