APS Destinations bagged the Most Innovative Travel Planners award at the ITA 2025. Receiving the trophy, Pratik Shah, Founder, APS Destinations, said, “This award is not about numbers or tickets, but about the trust and credibility built with clients. It means a lot to me.” Giving advice to young professionals, he said that travel is beyond bookings, think out of the box and explore global opportunities.

After assuming the chairmanship of WTTC in Rome, Manfredi Levebvfre urged tourism leaders to embrace technology, adapt to evolving traveller demands, and strengthen public–private collaboration. “Travel is not just joy, it is jobs, growth, and community revival,” he said, pledging to lead WTTC into a bold new era. Lefebvre is the Executive Chairman of Heritage Group and Executive Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group.

The Union Ministry of Tourism plans a global campaign to boost inbound tourism. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, said, “We need to have a strong campaign, which we will roll out in the next financial year, to kickstart inbound tourism and strengthen foreign exchange earnings. Growth is not our concern; ensuring it benefits communities and safeguards the environment is the real challenge for Indian tourism.”

According to the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India in 2024 were led by the 35–44 (20.67%) and 45–54 (20.24%) age groups. Seniors aged 55 and above showed a rising interest in wellness, heritage, and spiritual tourism. Despite a slight dip in the 0–14 segment, family tourism remains strong, confirming India’s growing popularity across generations.

Amadeus was awarded the Best Travel Technology Platform (GDS) at the India Travel Awards, presented to Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director – Travel Sellers, India and Subcontinent. “Receiving this award from DDP makes it even more special. It reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire industry,” he said.

Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said, “We are engaging with all state governments for regulating adventure tourism and working closely with the Bureau of Indian Standards to standardise practices.” With five empowered chapters and a women’s collective, ATOAI is promoting skill development and encouraging women entrepreneurs nationwide.

Vishnu Deo Sai, CM, Chhattisgarh, said GST 2.0 and the new industrial policy have opened unprecedented opportunities for investors. Tourism now enjoys industrial status, attracting `652 crore in proposals, including Westin Raipur and Amuseorama. Sai urged entrepreneurs to leverage the state’s cultural and natural wealth to boost tourism. “We have moved beyond ‘ease of doing business’ and entered the era of ‘speed of doing business’,” Sai said.

At the Google Think Travel event, it was revealed that Indians are projected to spend $193 billion on travel and tourism in 2025. The figure highlights how travel has shifted from being aspirational to becoming an essential part of lifestyle and leisure choices. The growth reflects rising incomes, increased access to global destinations, and a growing appetite for both domestic and international experiences.

Riya Travel, one of India’s largest and most trusted travel companies with an extensive presence across retail, corporate, and B2B segments, has announced its partnership with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace, the global platform connecting travel sellers and providers through a single, collaborative ecosystem. With over four decades of experience in the travel industry and a widespread network of offices in India and abroad, Riya Travel has built a strong reputation for reliability, service excellence, and scale. By joining Travel Marketplace, Riya will now bring cutting-edge travel technology solutions, apps, and content closer to its diverse customer base — ranging from individual travellers to large corporates and travel partners. GMJ Thampy, Founder and CMD Riya Group Enterprise said: “At Riya Travel, our strength lies in our reach, scale, and the trust we have earned over the years. Partnering with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace allows us to complement these strengths with world-class technology, giving our customers and partners access to faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions. This is an important step in our digital journey to further enhance the travel experience across all segments we serve.” Commenting on the partnership  Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India Sub Continent, Amadeus, added: “We are delighted to welcome Riya Travel to sign up for the Travel Marketplace. Riya’s unmatched scale and presence across multiple segments makes them a powerful force in South Asia’s travel industry. Together, we aim to accelerate digital adoption and empower more travel businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.” This partnership underscores Riya’s focus on driving digital innovation, while supporting Amadeus’ vision to build a smarter, more connected, and technology-enabled travel ecosystem across South Asia.

Customers of Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) will enjoy more options on flights between Singapore and Vietnam, after the two carriers signed a new codeshare agreement that comes into effect on 26th October 2025. Under the arrangement, SIA will codeshare on Vietnam Airlines-operated flights between Singapore and the Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while Vietnam Airlines will codeshare on SIA-operated flights between Singapore and Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. All flights are subject to regulatory approvals. These codeshare flights will be progressively available for sale from 10th October 2025 via both airlines’ sales channels and travel agents. This agreement deepens the partnership between Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Both airlines will also explore adding other destinations in their network to the codeshare agreement, as well as deepening the commercial cooperation that could offer customers more options, enhanced connectivity, and greater value. Nguyen Quang Trung, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, Vietnam Airlines, said: “This codeshare agreement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing strategic partnership between Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines — one of the world’s most prestigious 5-star carriers. The collaboration leverages the extensive route networks and premium services of both airlines, enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore while delivering greater flexibility and a more seamless travel experience for passengers. “For Vietnam Airlines, this partnership not only strengthens our international presence but also supports our commitment to aligning with world-class service standards. We look forward to deepening our cooperation with Singapore Airlines and jointly contributing to the long-term, sustainable development of the regional aviation industry.” Dai Haoyu, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our codeshare partnership with Vietnam Airlines …