Animesh Debbarma, Minister, Department of Forest, Tripura said his ministry has chalked out a plan to set up six eco parks to boost tourism in the state. The estimated cost of each eco park to be set up in six districts, except Dhalai and South Tripura, will be ₹10 crore, and the joint forest management group will run the proposed facilities. He said these tourist facilities, to be built on forest land, will provide a livelihood to the local people.

ITC Hotels signed a new agreement for a hotel in Lucknow under its Fortune Hotels portfolio. With this signing, ITC Hotels now has a presence of 7 properties in Uttar Pradesh, with six more hotels in the pipeline. Situated on the Lucknow-Kanpur Road, the upcoming hotel will provide seamless access to both cities. It is being developed to meet the growing demand for premium accommodations in the region, fuelled by business travel, pilgrimage tourism, MICE, and destination weddings in the city. Fortune Select Lucknow will feature 93 modern well-appointed rooms and a variety of culinary experiences including a multi-cuisine restaurant, a rooftop outlet with panoramic views of the city, and a chic bar. An offering of multiple banquet spaces, rejuvenating wellness facilities include a swimming pool, gym, and a restful spa, making it a compelling destination for a spectrum of travellers and city residents alike. Slated to open in 2026, the hotel promises to offer an elevated experience to its guests by way of thoughtfully designed stays, efficient service, and Fortune Hotels’ signature hospitality. In addition to the upcoming Fortune Select, Fortune Hotels currently operates Fortune Park BBD in Lucknow, located on Rana Pratap Marg. It also has an upcoming property in Ayodhya, along with operational hotels in Aligarh, Ghaziabad, and Noida.

Kerala will soon launch a four per cent interest loan scheme to support women entrepreneurs in tourism. Backed by 4 crore, the initiative is a joint effort of the Responsible Tourism Mission and KSWDC. With 18,000 women registered across 24 sectors, the project aims to set a national benchmark in women-led tourism.

TAT partnered with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment to promote Thailand through a film-led tourism strategy. Aligning with TAT’s efforts under the ‘Location Thailand’ project, this move aims to spotlight Thailand as a premier film tourism destination. The project leverages global entertainment to promote Thailand’s cinematic landscapes.

Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Kingdom of Philippines said she is hopeful to see surge in Indian arrivals to the archipelago with easy visa regime announced and Air India’s five times weekly flight service, starting 1 October. She added, “We are in talks with industry stakeholders to promote the nation for Indian travellers.”

GRT Hotels eliminated plastic bottles across all 22 properties, saving 1.2 crore in just one year, stated Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels, at Travel MICE and Corporate Show. Urging the industry to treat sustainability as an investment, not a cost, Cotah asked hoteliers to stop waiting for regulation and start creating change.

Malaysia Airlines is set to further expand its presence in South India by increasing frequencies to Trivandrum. Beginning 12 September 2025, the airline will introduce a fifth weekly service, with daily operations to commence from 1 December 2025. Tickets for the new frequencies will be available with immediate effect. This marks a significant step forward since the route’s launch in November 2023, which initially operated twice weekly before increasing to four times weekly in April 2024. The airline has also partnered with Kerala Tourism under ‘Look East’ initiative, launched in Trivandrum to strengthen travel ties between East Asia and Kerala. The increase in frequency reaffirms Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to the Indian market by offering travellers greater flexibility and convenience, while enhancing connectivity between India and Malaysia. Through its hub in Kuala Lumpur, the airline continues to strengthen its role as the gateway to Asia and beyond. Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer, Airlines, Malaysia Aviation Group said, “India remains a key focus market for Malaysia Airlines, and this frequency increase reaffirms our dedication to meeting the growing demand for air travel from South India. With daily flights to Trivandrum, we are well-positioned to offer greater flexibility and convenience for both business and leisure travellers, while supporting trade and tourism flows between our two countries.” Malaysia Airlines currently operates 76 weekly flights across ten key cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Trivandrum. With the new additions, this number will increase to 77 weekly flights by December 2025. Passengers flying from India to Malaysia can also take advantage of Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme, which offers a complimentary side trip to one of seven …

Intrepid Travel pilots global day of impact across its offices worldwide Intrepid Travel organised a day-long first-ever ‘Intrepid Day’ celebration of impact, a new concept aimed at rallying its staff, travellers and partners around the positive impact of travel in communities across the world. Organised for the first time in 2025, ‘Intrepid Day’ puts the spotlight on Intrepid’s mission to create positive change through the joy of travel by bringing Intrepid people together to connect, inspire and share experiences of using travel as a force for good. Marked on 24th July, the date signifies the company’s global reach and impact throughout the world across every hour of every day (24/7). Intrepid Day is set to become an annual celebration, reinforcing Intrepid Travel’s ambition to lead with purpose and grow its impact globally. A range of flagship community engagement initiatives were activated in its key regions – London, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne – with local activities and employee celebrations held across 31 Intrepid country offices. Highlights of Intrepid Day at India included: Honouring community & culture: Connecting with seniors at Arya Mahila Ashram The day commenced with a moving visit to Arya Mahila Ashram, an old age home in Delhi, where Intrepid staff and tour leaders spent time connecting with senior women through conversation, shared laughter, and companionship. This initiative highlighted the often-overlooked issue of loneliness and isolation among the elderly, bringing warmth and dignity to those who paved the way for generations to come. The Intrepid Amazing Race Next, the energy soared with the Intrepid Amazing Race, a creatively designed Delhi city tour challenge. Five enthusiastic teams navigated Delhi’s bustling streets, solving clues and completing fun mini tasks at …

This milestone signals a new chapter in Indian hospitality, as SaffronStays ventures into the boutique luxury hotel space, with an idea to unlock hidden gems like Sindhudurg on the world map. With Araqila, SaffronStays introduces a bold and beautiful modern-day fortress, rooted in the cultural heartland of Arawali, Sindhudurg. Just 45 minutes from Goa’s MOPA airport, Araqila sits on the edge of the untouched Konkan coastline. It is not a place that asks for attention. It simply exists, rooted in salt, stone, and memory. Marking SaffronStays’ foray into the boutique retreat space, this unveiling also reintroduces Sindhudurg to the discerning traveller. Araqila is born from familiarity, not fantasy. It comes from a family that belongs to the land, bearing deep ancestral ties to the region. Spread across 55 acres of pristine coastal estate, this retreat follows the slope of the earth, becoming one with the Konkan forts that stood the test of time. Nestled in the region that has not yet traded its quiet for convenience, Araqila has no televisions, no distractions. Just the sea, the rustle of the trees, and the occasional stillness that asks you to listen. The name Araqila is derived from a fusion of ‘Ara’ (Arawali) and ‘Qila’ (fort), symbolising a protective yet peaceful sanctuary. Inside, 25 sea-facing suites embody quiet minimalism, with winding walkways and an aesthetic rooted in restraint. Beyond the suites, an open-air amphitheatre and an untouched beach continue the retreat’s rhythm, blending effortlessly into the natural landscape. The food speaks to the local tongue with fresh catch, Malvani spices, and ingredients that have not travelled far. The land sustains what it serves. Built with a low ecological footprint, Araqila supports native plantations …

Focus on long-haul expansion, fleet renewal, and synergies with Lufthansa Group ITA Airways’ Board of Directors has approved today the Company’s 2026-2030 Business Plan. The plan is structured around three fundamental strategic pillars: Strengthening the competitive position: ITA Airways aims to establish itself as Italy’s reference carrier—efficient and innovative—offering high-quality connectivity in close collaboration with the key sectors of tourism and international trade. At the core of the Company’s strategy is delivering exceptional service to both business and leisure travellers, with a continuous focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability through responsible resource management. Network and fleet development: The Plan focuses on expanding the long-haul segment and increasing intercontinental destinations from the Rome Fiumicino hub. Connectivity will also be enhanced through commercial agreements and strategic partnerships with other Airlines. Meanwhile, the fleet renewal process will continue, prioritising energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, in line with the Company’s sustainability commitments and EU regulations—such as the elimination of ETS free allowances. By the end of the plan period, the fleet will be almost entirely made up of next-generation aircraft. Strengthening integration with the Lufthansa Group, the world’s fourth largest Airline group, as a strategic advantage to leverage significant operational, commercial, and technological synergies, boosting competitiveness, the access to new markets, and driving continuous innovation in passenger services. Below are the key development priorities outlined in the Business Plan. Network The 2026-2030 business plan places great emphasis on expanding and strengthening the network, particularly long-haul routes. ITA Airways plans to launch new routes connecting Rome Fiumicino with key destinations in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa, tapping into growing markets and meeting the needs of an increasingly global customer base. These …