Indian School of Hospitality welcomes close to two hundred school and professional counsellors to its Gurugram campus for the seventh edition of the Counsellors’ Retreat. The retreat takes place over four days this month and represents the largest national gathering of counsellors for hospitality and culinary education in India. The scale reflects a growing recognition of hospitality as a discipline that draws from culture, business, behaviour, design, food studies, and leadership. ISH presents its academic philosophy of liberal hospitality to counsellors who guide student choices across the country. Liberal hospitality places people, culture, experience, and curiosity at the centre of learning. It brings interdisciplinary rigor through subjects that include psychology, anthropology, communication, entrepreneurship, technology, and food studies. This approach prepares students to think, analyse, collaborate, and lead in India’s fast-growing service economy. The retreat features workshops, conversations, and specialised sessions that give counsellors a direct view of how ISH builds academic depth across hospitality and culinary arts. Faculty members present their teaching frameworks. Students share their learning journeys. Alumni reflect on their career pathways in hotels, restaurants, consumer brands, technology platforms, and service-led businesses. The sessions also include capability building workshops that support counsellors who advise students in an evolving career landscape shaped by new industries and new opportunities. The seventh edition marks an important moment for hospitality education in India. The participation of nearly ~125 counsellors signals a shift in how families and schools view hospitality and culinary arts. These fields now attract students who seek global careers and leadership roles in industries that rely on creativity, human connection, and interdisciplinary thinking. The retreat reinforces ISH’s long term vision of placing hospitality and culinary education inside India’s mainstream higher …

We are pleased to share that Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with Aeroprime Group and Bangalore International Airport Ltd, recently hosted an exclusive Networking Lunch in Bengaluru on 12 November 2025, bringing together leading travel agents, tour operators, and media partners from South India. The event celebrated the airline’s growing partnership with India’s travel trade community and highlighted Vietnam’s rising appeal as a leisure and cultural destination.

Kerala Travel Mart Society, India’s premier tourism and hospitality industry body, has cautioned travellers  coming to the state against being cheated by online fraudsters, citing cases of those duped by some leading travel-agency websites, especially in Kochi and Kumaraokom. In a statement, KTM President Shri Jose Pradeep urged  international tourists and domestic holidayers to be “extremely cautious” about online deals, with the start of the in-bound tourism season setting in. There have been cases of fraudsters trying to mislead and extort guests, who have already done room reservation, through phone calls or text messages, particularly in major destinations like Kochi and Kumarakom. These fraudsters try to force the guests to pay advance payment. Guests, who disagree or backtrack, are being threatened with cancellation of the booking or offered higher-category rooms on immediate payment, KTM Society noted. Fraudsters typically collect money through QR codes or payment links after gaining trust by sending ID cards, which are fake, of hotel employees. “Several tourists have complained of losing huge sums. This has made us ( KTM) to issue a  message of extreme caution, “ Shri Jose Pradeep said. Before making any payment, it is ideal to call the official phone number of the hotel directly to verify the authenticity of the information,  Pradeep said. KTM’s member-hotels  have been cautioned against falling prey to such scams on their websites and vouchers. The 2000-founded KTM is Kerala’s biggest body of stakeholders in the state’s tourism.  

As Central Vietnam continues to emerge as a dynamic hub for business events and leisure travel, Four Points by Sheraton Danang has distinguished itself as a preferred choice for global travellers and MICE planners. At the forefront of this success is Ms. Lai Fong, Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, whose leadership has strengthened the hotel’s reputation for personalized service, cultural sensitivity, and operational excellence. In this interview, Ms. Lai Fong shares insights into how the hotel seamlessly balances diverse guest segments, the strategic upgrades enhancing its event capabilities, and the unique offerings tailored for the rapidly expanding Indian MICE market. From authentic Indian cuisine to oceanfront venues and Marriott’s trusted service standards, she highlights what truly sets Four Points by Sheraton Danang apart as a reliable and rewarding destination for both corporate and leisure travellers. How do you balance business travellers, MICE groups, and leisure guests? We balance all segments by tailoring offerings to their needs while maintaining an equally welcoming atmosphere. Weekdays focus on business and MICE guests with seamless meetings, efficient service, and convenient dining. Weekends shift toward leisure travellers—couples, families, and friends—who enjoy walking to My Khe Beach and relaxing through themed buffets and curated recreational activities. Across all segments, we deliver consistent, personalized, and genuinely warm service. What recent investments have been made to enhance meeting and event facilities?  Our meeting venues undergo continuous upgrades to ensure top performance. Recent enhancements include improved AV systems for hybrid meetings and specialized cultural sensitivity training for our events team to support diverse groups. We personalize every detail—from returning guest preferences to customized setups, lighting, ambience, and menu presentation. Our culinary offerings now include vegan, gluten-free, halal, and …

Indian travelers are showing an impressive affinity for Central Florida, according to new research from the Experience Kissimmee team. The study sheds light on who these visitors are, what inspires their trips, and why Kissimmee continues to capture the imagination of travelers from one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound markets. The findings reveal that the average Indian visitor to the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford area in 2024 was between 35 and 39 years old, often travelling solo (70%) or with family and friends (18.6%). Middle-aged travelers with young children account for 32% of the market, planning their trips 89 days in advance and booking flights 41 days before departure. Shopping (82%), sightseeing (93%), and theme park visits (56%) top the list of favourite activities, while 23% of visitors also include Miami in their Florida itineraries. Digital influence significantly shapes travel plans. Travelers frequently turn to YouTube (95%), Instagram (92%), and Facebook (89%) as their most popular platforms. They often find inspiration in posts shared by friends and family. On average, Indian visitors stay for 31 nights, spending $4,339 per trip, and $5,838 per travel party. Key spending areas include accommodations (66.9%), food and beverage (12.5%), and recreation (1.6%). When it comes to accommodation, 85% of travelers choose hotels or motels for about six nights, while 8% opt for vacation homes, staying approximately 9 nights. Other key findings from the Experience Kissimmee research include: 60% rent a car during their stay, while 28% take domestic flights within the U.S.56% rely on airlines for vacation information, 49% on personal recommendations, and 9% on OTAs. Florida ranks third among the most desired U.S. states for Indian travelers, with peak interest in January and May. Indian visitors …

The Ramada Plaza at NH-1A, Jammu Pathankot National Highway, near Radha Swami Satsang Beas, Vijaypur, J&K, today announced that Ashutosh Jayee has been named General Manager for the hotel, effective October 1, 2025. In his new role, Mr. Jayee will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s staff and operations, sales, marketing, and ensuring seamless guest satisfaction across all departments.   Proven experience in hospitality Previously, Jayee served as Head of Sales & Marketing for Radisson Blu Jammu, part of the Radisson Hotel Group based in Jammu, J&K. During his tenure, he was responsible for maintaining brand standards, following SOPs, generating revenue, and fostering strong client relationships to ensure repeat business. Vision for continued excellence “Ashutosh Jayee is a talented and experienced hospitality professional and will play a key role in ensuring that the Ramada Plaza, Vijaypur continues providing guests with the same high-quality service and exceptional value that it has become known for in the Vijaypur, Jammu community,” said Subash Singh Jamwal, owner of the Ramada Plaza, Vijaypur, Jammu. Academic background and roots Jayee is a native of Jammu, J&K and a 2003 graduate of Thames Valley University in Cambridge, UK, where he earned his B.A (Hons) in Hospitality Management. He later completed his Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Tourism Management in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

Moscow welcomed 40,8 thousands tourists from India during the first half of the 2025, which is a 40% increase compared to the same period last year. India has become the second-largest country among non-CIS countries by tourist arrivals. Overall, more than half a million travelers from outside CIS countries visited Moscow between January and June 2025 — a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024.The Moscow City Tourism Committee notes that this growth reflects both the rising interest from Asian markets and Moscow’s expanding appeal as a global destination. This upward trend is also seen in hotel statistics. According to Rosstat, the number of foreign guests staying at Moscow hotels increased by 14% during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Based on data from the online booking platform Ostrovok, 94% of all summer bookings for 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels were made by travelers from non-CIS countries – up from 85% last year – with Indian tourists being among the most active guests in Moscow’s premium accommodation segment. Travelling to Moscow for Indian tourists is driven by a couple of reasons. Moscow became more accessible with e-visa opportunities, which allows travelers to obtain an entry visa fully online in just four days, with no invitations or hotel confirmations required. Furthermore, a diverse events calendar, featuring everything from major festivals to business conferences, plays a grand role in attracting more visitors from India. For example, during the major urban project “Summer in Moscow”, the Russian capital hosted two large-scale events celebrating Indian culture – International Day of Yoga and Bharat Utsav (The Festival of India in Moscow). Such events represent Moscow’s welcoming …

The much-awaited Holiday Expo – Visakhapatnam opened to an enthusiastic response today, bringing together leading destinations, travel brands, and tourism professionals under one roof. The event aims to connect the travel trade and holiday seekers with a range of exciting travel options from across India and abroad. The expo was inaugurated by Smt. Ekta Kabra of Rajasthan Tourism, who lit the ceremonial lamp. The Inaugural event also witnessed the presence of distinguished guests of honour — Mr. K. Vijaymohan, President of the Tours and Travels Association of Andhra; Mr. Pavan Kartheek, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Andhra Pradesh; and Mr. Ravi Kumar, President, Andhra Pradesh Event Management Association. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dilip Biswas, Director of Holiday Expo, said: “Visakhapatnam has emerged as one of India’s most promising tourism markets, with growing interest from both leisure and business travellers. Through Holiday Expo, we aim to provide a dynamic marketplace that inspires new travel ideas, partnerships, and experiences for visitors and the industry alike.” The two-day event showcases a wide spectrum of tourism products including destinations, hotels, travel agencies, airlines, cruises, and travel technology providers. With participation from various state tourism boards and private exhibitors, Holiday Expo offers an excellent opportunity for the public to explore diverse travel options and for the travel trade to network and expand their business. This year’s edition features participation from Rajasthan Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and several leading travel operators and hospitality brands from across India and abroad. Visitors can explore exclusive offers on domestic holidays, international packages, and special deals from airlines, resorts, and cruise companies. The Holiday Expo – Visakhapatnam will be open to visitors …

The opening of the all-new Singapore Airlines (SIA) First Class SilverKris Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 completes the first phase of the Airline’s two-year, S$45 million renewal project for its lounges in the terminal. Located on level 3 near Departure Gate E, the 1,050-square-metre space is 11% larger than the previous First Class SilverKris Lounge in the terminal. It can accommodate around 130 customers, and access is available to SIA’s Suites and First Class customers, Solitaire PPS Club members, and First Class customers travelling on Star Alliance member airlines. As part of SIA’s flagship SilverKris lounges in Singapore, the design language is consistent across Terminals 2 and 3. Design consultancy Ong & Ong has refined the layout and features to give the Terminal 2 lounge its distinct character. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light in, while a newly designed bar and a stunning chandelier centrepiece elevate the ambience. The result is a light-filled, luxurious sanctuary that stands out in its own right. The lounge features distinct zones for dining, work, and relaxation, as well as upgraded restrooms and shower facilities. Signature elements such as SIA’s wingback chairs, productivity pods, and bespoke furniture in familiar hues reinforce the understated elegance that defines the SilverKris Lounge experience. It is also designed for inclusivity, with step-free access throughout, Braille signages, and hearing loop systems. The Entrance and Foyer – A Multi-sensory Welcome  Customers are greeted by a striking batik wall spanning over 20 metres in length and nearly three metres in height as they approach the First Class SilverKris Lounge. This signature installation is an artistic interpretation of the SIA batik motif, crafted from 97 laser-cut plexiglass batik flowers with gold …

Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River has quickly become a preferred choice for business, MICE, and leisure travellers in Central Vietnam.  Stefano Maccagno, GM of Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River highlights the hotel’s key strengths—from its prime riverfront location and standout MICE facilities to rising demand from Indian groups. He also shares insights on Indian culinary support, sustainability practices, and how the property helps position Da Nang as a seamless leisure + MICE destination.   What is your USP and how do you balance business, MICE, and leisure? Any recent investments? We’re Vietnam’s first Courtyard by Marriott, centrally located along the Han River with quick access to the airport, beaches, and attractions. Guests enjoy panoramic views, Da Nang’s highest rooftop pool, and curated experiences like sunrise yoga, Vietnamese coffee and spring roll classes, and cocktail workshops. For MICE, we offer the city center’s highest ballroom ceiling (8.5m), daylight-filled meeting rooms, and seamless access via external escalator. Our four dining venues—from all-day dining to rooftop omakase—round out a balanced business + leisure offering supported by Marriott Bonvoy benefits. Are Indian groups and weddings growing? What strategies do you use? Yes. Da Nang welcomed 222,000 Indian visitors in 2024, with rising incentives and large destination weddings. Our modern venues, ballroom capacity, and strong value proposition position us well to serve this expanding segment. Do you offer Indian F&B support? Yes. With guidance from our Indian chef adviser, we craft authentic regional menus tailored to dietary needs. How do you help position Vietnam as a leisure + MICE hub? Our riverfront location with easy access to Ba Na Hills, Hoi An, and My Khe Beach lets guests blend meetings with memorable experiences, …