At the 40th IATO Convention 2025 in Puri, Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, announced that the 41st IATO Convention will be hosted in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in August-September 2026.

TravelBullz’ 3-city Great India Roadshow concluded in Delhi, highlighting Singapore, Thailand with a grand launch for Destination Dubai. KD Singh, Founder & President, TravelBullz, said, “Our overall global hotel business has grown 400% over the last three years. We will be clocking ₹475 crores or $55 million worth of global hotel sales this year. Going ahead, our future products include Hong Kong and Macau, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam with focus on tier-II & III city demand.”

40 Rural Hosts Honoured; Minister Calls Village Tourism the Future of India’s Global Appeal Rural tourism revives India’s living heritage of community and culture, says Jaiveer Singh In a world racing forward, villages offer the pause people seek: Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh In a major push to position Uttar Pradesh as India’s next rural tourism capital, the Department of Tourism organised the Rural Tourism Conclave 2025 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow. The event witnessed participation from various stakeholders, with Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh presiding as Chief Guest. Senior officials, policy experts, farm stay operators, and innovators from across the country joined the conclave to chart the roadmap for a vibrant village-led tourism economy. In a key highlight, more than 40 farm stay and homestay owners were felicitated for redefining hospitality in rural Uttar Pradesh, setting new benchmarks in experiential tourism. Among the dignitaries were MLC Dharmendra Singh, Padma Shri awardee farmer Ram Sharan Verma, Cooperative Registrar Yogesh Kumar, Director of Eco Tourism Prakhar Mishra, and sustainability champion Annadani Malligavad. India’s Story Begins in Villages, says Minister Jaiveer Singh Addressing the gathering, Minister Singh remarked, “India’s stories of gods, values, and culture begin in villages. From Lord Ram to Krishna, the soul of Bharat lies in its soil.” Emphasising that tourism must go beyond monuments, he noted that “Tourists today seek the warmth of rural kitchens, the simplicity of village life, and the joy of authentic hospitality.” He added that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, rural tourism is central to Viksit Bharat @2047 and will fuel empowerment, entrepreneurship, and environmental consciousness across villages. 234 Villages Identified, 750 Plus Homestays in Pipeline …

TravelBullz’ three-city Great India Roadshow concluded in Delhi, spotlighting Singapore and Thailand alongside a grand launch for Destination Dubai. KD Singh, Founder, TravelBullz, said, “Our overall global hotel business has grown 400% over the last three years.” He projected global hotel sales of ₹475 crore ($55 million) this year.

Speaking at the Rural Tourism Conclave 2025, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary Tourism, UP said 234 villages are being developed as tourism hubs with homestays and incentives. “Rural tourism is India’s soft power,” he noted, urging the trade to design immersive, culture-led experiences.

InfoComm India 2025, from 9-11 September at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, will showcase over 250 exhibitors. Travel and hospitality professionals can explore cutting-edge AV and digital technologies, discover solutions for immersive guest experiences and connect with innovators driving tourism’s next growth phase.

Tourism Australia is embarking on the next stage of its globally successful Come and say G’day campaign with the second chapter of the highly effective platform launching in India today, 20 August 2025. Animated Brand Ambassador Ruby the Souvenir Kangaroo is back and joining her this time is local entrepreneur and philanthropist Sara Tendulkar in Tourism Australia’s locally nuanced campaign created for Indian audiences. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said while traditionally Tourism Australia campaigns have featured one famous face across their global marketing initiatives, the new campaign brings to life the lasting memories of an Australian holiday from the perspectives of visitors from India, including Sara Tendulkar. “Our new campaign extends a bespoke invitation to Indian travellers to visit Australia and experience a holiday that lasts a lifetime. The campaign creative has been tailored for cultural nuances and showcases the sort of tourism experiences Indian travellers are looking for. We could not be more excited to work with Sara Tendulkar on our new campaign – her connection with Australia made her the perfect fit. We are equally excited to officially welcome her into our Friend of Australia advocacy program,” said Nishant Kashikar. Sara Tendulkar said, “There is something about Australia that keeps calling me back. I have always felt so welcomed. I am touched and excited to be able to share a slice of the unforgettable memories I have made Down Under in Tourism Australia’s Come and say G’day campaign. From the bustling cities to the relaxing beaches and curious wildlife, I know that travellers in India will be captivated by the diversity and warmth Australia has to offer. Whether it is going surfing, …

As spring unfurls its colours across Australia, there is one city that blossoms into a breathtaking floral paradise, the nation’s capital. Returning for its 38th year from 12 September to 13 October, Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring, transforms Canberra’s beautiful Commonwealth Park into a vibrant canvas of more than one million blooms. For those exploring Australia between September and October, this annual festival deserves a top spot on the bucket list. It invites travellers to slow down and immerse themselves in a month-long celebration where art, nature, and community spirit meet. This year’s theme, Science and Nature, encourages visitors to swap gardening gloves for lab coats with hands on workshops, talks, and interactive exhibits, designed to ignite curiosity. Beyond the beautiful blooms, Floriade offers a wide range of activities that make it one of Canberra’s most cherished springtime experiences. Set against the backdrop of the city’s thoughtful urban design and unhurried pace, Floriade is the perfect destination for multi-generational families. While younger visitors can dive into Floriade’s interactive exhibits, older family members can wander through garden beds bursting with blooms, enjoy live music performances, or be captivated by the street entertainers. They can also browse market stalls, meet local food and wine producers, and savour local delicacies. From day to night, the festival brims with experiences, so here is a glimpse of what awaits: Witness the park come alive after dark with NightFest (2 to 5 October), a special ticketed event. Beyond the breathtaking illuminated displays, the evening offers a unique program of entertainment—live music from Australian artists like Josh Pyke and Ella Hooper, exhilarating fire and circus performances, and a creative lantern workshop that culminates in a parade …

In the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, where golden savannah stretches to the horizon and the Sand River winds through acacia trees, The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture. From the moment guests arrive, traditional Maasai rituals greet them, including a symbolic blessing and fresh scent of leleshwa leaves. Days unfold with private guided safaris in open-air luxury Land Cruisers, revealing the drama of wildebeest river crossings and opportunities for observing lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, and more than 500 bird species in their natural habitat. Guests may explore the Kenya-Tanzania Border Stone or rise with the sun for hot air balloon flights over the plains, culminating in champagne breakfasts beneath the vast African sky. As dusk falls, the call of a Maasai warrior’s ceremonial horn signals the transition to night, welcoming an evening filled with rich stories and serene moments under a canopy of stars. “Bringing The Ritz-Carlton to the Masai Mara is more than just opening a new property, it is a deeply meaningful moment for us,” said Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury, Marriott International. “This is a place that stirs your soul. Where land, wildlife, and culture create something truly extraordinary. We are offering travellers a chance to slow down, to connect deeply with nature and with themselves, and to experience the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. It is a new chapter for The RitzCarlton – one where our legendary service and values come to life in one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.” A Serene Treetop Sanctuary Just steps from the Kenya–Tanzania border, the 20 tented suites — including a …

The world’s biggest names in Travel & Tourism to gather in the Eternal City The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the first wave of headline speakers for its milestone 25th Global Summit in Rome, set to take place from 28–30 September at the iconic Auditorium Parco della Musica. Returning to Europe in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT, the Municipality of Rome and the Lazio Region, the summit will convene business leaders, policymakers, and media from across the globe to debate the future of an industry that drives 10% of global GDP. This year’s agenda will spotlight the game-changing potential of artificial intelligence, sustainability imperatives, and bold strategies to secure the sector’s growth in the coming decade. The stellar line-up already confirmed features: William E. Heinecke (Minor Hotels), Matthew Upchurch (Virtuoso), Jane Sun (Trip.com Group), Gaurav Bhatnagar (TBO.com), Jerry Inzerillo (Diriyah Company), Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC Cruises), Paolo Barletta (Arsenale Spa), Andrea Grisdale (IC Bellagio), Desiree Bollier (The Bicester Collection), Anthony Capuano (Marriott International), Caroline Beteta (Visit California), Christie Travers-Smith (Google), Elie Maalouf (IHG), Decius Valmorbida Menezes (Amadeus), and Zubin Karkaria (VFS Global). Additional voices include Puneet Chhatwal (IHCL), Julie Shainock (Microsoft), Hashil Al Mahrouqi (OMRAN Group), and Massimo Caputi (Terme & Spa Italia). The summit will also mark a leadership handover: Greg O’Hara, Founder of Certares and current WTTC Chair, will pass the torch to Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of Heritage Group and co-chair of Abercrombie & Kent. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome such a distinguished group of speakers. The Eternal City provides the perfect backdrop for a Summit where Travel & Tourism leaders will gather to innovate, collaborate, and drive …