Air New Zealand announced the appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as its next Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Greg Foran who steps down in October after almost six years leading the airline through one of the most challenging periods in aviation history. Currently the airline’s Chief Digital Officer, Nikhil will officially take over as CEO on 20 October 2025. In the nearly five years that Nikhil has been at Air New Zealand he has gained a deep understanding of the aviation sector, and the airline. He has also led major advances in the airline’s technology backbone, loyalty program and customer proposition. Dame Therese Walsh, Board Chair, Air New Zealand says the appointment marks the beginning of the next chapter for the airline, reflecting the strong momentum underway and a new generation of leadership for the future. “Across Air New Zealand, we are very clear on what matters most—connecting our communities and country to each other and the world, delivering value and excellence, and running a world-class airline that all Kiwi are proud of.” “We have always been bold and not afraid to adapt and lead. Nikhil brings the mindset and contemporary leadership we need to build on our strong foundations and focus on the future. The Board undertook an extensive international search and were delighted to see Nikhil come through the process so strongly. His ambition for the airline’s future and his people leadership skills, coupled with his pursuit of excellence, digital literacy, global outlook and relationships, and his deep care for the airline and New Zealand shone through.” “Airlines will continue to face immense challenges, whether that is climate change, customer expectations, technology, cost pressures or geopolitics. Nikhil brings a fresh …

Set against the turquoise waters of the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, Amilla Maldives has long been celebrated for its bold take on luxury, sustainability, and inclusivity. Now, with the appointment of Gaurav Makhijani as Director of Sales, the resort signals its intent to deepen its global partnerships and sharpen its strategic edge. Tucked within the breathtaking Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Amilla Maldives isn’t your typical island escape. It’s a sanctuary that balances barefoot luxury with a sense of purpose, welcoming couples, families, and groups of friends to unwind in 67 spacious Pool Villas and Residences, all with private pools and indoor-outdoor living. From its reef-fringed shores to its kombucha-making workshops and art classes, Amilla invites guests into a vibrant mix of play, rest, and reconnection. More than just a beautiful destination, Amilla stands out for its environmental and social commitments. As an EarthCheck silver-certified property and member of Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection, the resort weaves sustainability into every aspect from inclusive menus catering to a range of dietary lifestyles, to being an IncluCare-certified resort that prioritises accessibility and guest wellbeing. Now, the resort enters an exciting chapter with the addition of Gaurav Makhijani as Director of Sales. With more than 14 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Gaurav brings with him a deep understanding of the Maldivian market, having held leadership roles at Kuda Villingili, The OZEN Collection, and Jumeirah Maldives. At Amilla, Makhijani will lead the charge in strengthening global sales efforts and building long-term relationships with partners. His appointment comes at a time when the resort is doubling down on its core values of sustainability, inclusivity, and authentic connection and his strategic approach is set to align seamlessly with …

India has become Rail Europe’s second-largest source market, showing strong year-on-year growth. “Year-on-year, we are growing close to around 22% considering India market,” said Srijit Nair, GM – India, ME & Africa. After a 16% rise last year, the first half of 2025 has shown an encouraging 18–20% growth.

Travelport has announced a 23% improvement in global air search speed on its Travelport+ platform, now delivering results in just 0.84 seconds. With travel bookings rising, this upgrade helps agents work faster and serve customers better. Travelport+ also ranks highest for ease of use and innovation in global industry surveys.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and DG, Ministry of Tourism, said, “India commands just 5% of the USD 850 billion global MICE market. To change this, we must elevate at least 10 cities, especially in South India and set up city-level convention bureaus to boost tourism, MSMEs and services.”

The World Parity Monitor by 123Compare.me. revealed that OTAs offer lower hotel prices than official websites in 75% of searches. While hotel sites win in 45% of single rate checks, mobile users often see cheaper deals on OTAs. This trend is making it harder for hotels to maintain direct bookings.

In the Northern Hemisphere Summer 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Will Open an All-New Nearly Six-Acre Waterpark with 19 Waterslides, an Almost 250 Metre Dynamic River, A New Jet Karts Water Track and More Experiences for Guests to Enjoy ‘The Great Life’ at Great Stirrup Cay Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced additional details for its private island transformation on Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas headlined by a nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark opening in the Northern Hemisphere summer 2026, and more incredible experiences to bring unforgettable adventures and endless relaxation for its guests. From cliff jumps and jet karts to swim-up bars and splash zones, the expansion of the island’s offerings is designed to elevate every guest’s experience with more freedom, more flexibility and more ways for them to discover ‘The Great Life’! at Great Stirrup Cay. “Great Stirrup Cay has always been an amazing part of the Norwegian Cruise Line guest experience and continues to be one of our highest rated destinations,” said David J Herrera, President, Norwegian Cruise Line. “At 270 acres our private island provides us with an incredible blueprint to reinvent what guests can experience when they escape to ‘The Great Life’ with us. This new waterpark is an outstanding addition to our recent announcement about other amazing new amenities on the island soon to debut. With each phase of our enhancements, we are bringing ashore more of what our guests love about sailing with NCL. Whether you want to relax by the huge new heated pool – complete with multiple swim up bars, are looking forward to racing down one of the 19 waterslides with your kids at Great Tides Waterpark, or just want to …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) successfully concluded a four-city roadshow across India, strengthening its presence in one of its most important source markets. Held from 21 July to 25 July, the roadshow covered New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad, targeting key Indian cities driving outbound travel for leisure, weddings, and MICE segments. The roadshow provided a dynamic platform for the RAKTDA delegation, including hotel partners and local DMCs, to engage directly with over 300 key players from the Indian travel trade, including MICE agents, event planners, and tour operators. A highlight of the roadshow was the series of focused, one-on-one interactions, enabling Indian stakeholders to gain deeper insights into Ras Al Khaimah’s diverse offerings for leisure, weddings, and MICE segments. These impactful business conversations paved the way for strategic collaborations, with partners exploring opportunities tailored to the Indian market. In addition, exclusive networking dinners and brunches were hosted to foster deeper industry engagement. The roadshow not only helped in relationship building but also contributed to strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s positioning as a ‘destination of the future,’ supporting its long-term tourism growth objectives. In 2024, the Emirate welcomed a record 1.28 million overnight visitors from across the world, with tourism revenues growing 12% year-on-year and a 40% growth in MICE business, highlighting its rising popularity as a top events destination. India remains a strategic focus for Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism goals, with an impressive 25% year-on-year increase in Indian travellers recorded year-to-date 2025. With Ras Al Khaimah’s proximity to major Indian cities, enhanced air connectivity, and positioning as a premium leisure and wedding destination, India is poised to play a central role in the Emirate’s vision to welcome 3.5 …

SriLankan Airlines has been named the ‘Best Airline for South Asia’ at the recently held International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards in Delhi, India, cementing its position at the pinnacle of the region’s aviation landscape. The award honours SriLankan’s expansive, next-level network connecting South Asia to the world, its signature Sri Lankan hospitality and the meaningful connections it fosters with travellers across the region, as recognised by a distinguished panel of judges and jury members. Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head, Commercial, SriLankan Airlines, said, “Receiving this award further validates our unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience to our customers in South Asia. Our extensive connectivity across key markets, combined with our renowned service, make us the preferred choice for travellers in this part of the world. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in our quest to enhance both the travel experience and our network, so we can serve our customers even better in the future.” With nearly 90 weekly flights linking India to Colombo and beyond, SriLankan Airlines offers multiple daily connections from key metro cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, along with strong connectivity from Tier two cities. The airline operates eight weekly flights from Tiruchirappalli, proudly holding the distinction of being the first international carrier to serve the city. SriLankan also connects Madurai with six weekly frequencies, while operating four weekly flights each from Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. From the Kerala hub of Kochi, the airline offers daily services, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of India’s rapidly growing leisure travel market, both from metros and emerging urban centres. India is Sri Lanka’s single largest tourism source market, accounting for about one-fifth of the total …

An African safari is a bucket-list adventure offering unforgettable memories. The continent offers a diverse range of safari experiences, from classic game drives in renowned national parks to more specialised adventures like walking safaris and gorilla trekking. See these can’t-miss ones, each offering unique wildlife encounters and landscape. Serengeti National Park Chances are that you have dreamt of Africa, and when you did, you probably dreamt of the Serengeti. This is home to the Great Migration and may well be one of the last true natural wonders. This World Heritage Site is teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kms. Gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or see everything from a bird’s-eye view at sunrise on a hot air balloon safari. Rickshaw Travel Group offers a range of customised packages. Masai Mara National Reserve Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, East Africa is a scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah bordering the Serengeti to the south. Masai Mara is a unique wildlife conservation haven famous for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife. Large numbers of lions, cheetah, elephant, rhino, African buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and many more are found in the park. The reserve has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Located on the slopes of Oloolaimutia Hills within the reserve is the Masai Mara Sopa Lodge offering 50 beautiful cottages. Kruger National Park This park in South Africa is one of the most visited parks for a safari because of it is easy to access from Johannesburg and has numerous accommodation options and price …