Highlights: Hosting the 21st World Rose Convention is a matter of pride for us – Principal Secretary Shukla Sushil Prakash elected President of World Rose Society Official flag ceremoniously handed over to Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board represented India at the 20th Convention held in Japan India to host the convention for the first time; over 700 international delegates expected The 21st World Rose Convention will be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in 2028, as announced by the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) at the recently concluded 20th World Rose Convention in Fukuyama, Japan. The event will mark the first time India hosts the prestigious international gathering, which will bring together more than 700 delegates from across the globe. With its scenic backdrop of lakes and gardens, Bhopal is set to provide an ideal setting for the convention with thematic gardens, technical sessions, cultural performances, and a showcase of tourism experiences from across the state. The official announcement was made at the 20th World Rose Convention, where Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) represented India. The delegation was led by Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. During the closing ceremony, Shukla was ceremoniously handed over the WFRS flag, formally bestowing Madhya Pradesh with the responsibility of hosting the next edition of the convention. In a significant milestone, Sushil Prakash was elected as the new President of the World Federation of Rose Societies. He becomes the first Indian to be appointed to this prestigious post, further strengthening India’s global footprint in the horticultural and floriculture sector. At the closing ceremony of the 20th convention, the WFRS …

In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory changes and shifting traveller expectations, the tourism industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. The ongoing Indo Pak conflict has understandably raised fresh concerns and cast a shadow over the tourism sector. Yet, time and again, history has proven that our industry is built not just on destinations, but on determination. Recognising the need for collective insight and decisive action, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is stepping up with a timely and thought-provoking virtual event ‘Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends.’ Scheduled for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST), this one-hour online dialogue will bring together some of the most respected voices in the Indian travel and tourism landscape. The session is designed as a dialogue to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and offer strategic insights for the road ahead. The panel will feature: Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI – an industry veteran known for his leadership in Tourism, Adventure Tourism and advocacy for sustainable travel; Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online, Inc. – a pioneer in digital travel platforms, offering a sharp perspective on evolving consumer behaviour and tech trends; Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI – a respected voice for travel agents and tour operators with deep knowledge of global travel dynamics. Together, these thought leaders will explore how the sector can embrace change—through innovation, sustainability and resilience—while addressing some of the most pressing questions facing the travel industry today. “The tourism industry has weathered many storms—and every time, we have emerged stronger. We are at another such inflection point, offering us the chance to pause, reset and reimagine,” said Ajeet Bajaj. This session is open …

The premium ‘Legends of Lake Lucerne – The Supreme Steamboat Experience’ cruise launched recently. This spectacular and exclusive boat/cruise features: 5-hour experience aboard the iconic Gallia, the fastest lake steamer in Europe Limited number of guests for a personal and exclusive atmosphere. A freshly prepared 5-course meal featuring regional specialties and carefully sourced wines Casimir Friedrich Knörr, founder of steam navigation on Lake Lucerne, takes you on a lively journey through time Excellent service from a dedicated team, tailor-made to your specific wishes and combined with classic Swiss hospitality Personalised conversations with the crew Step aboard the steamship Gallia and embark on an unforgettable journey. With a limited number of guests, an exquisite five-course menu, and breathtaking views, this experience is truly one of a kind.

FLY91 introduced UPI payments for inflight purchases, including hot meals and beverages, which can be pre-booked right until the time of boarding, becoming the first regional airline in India and very few in the world to offer this convenience. In most airlines, meals must be booked while purchasing the ticket or paid for in cash. In contrast, FLY91 allows passengers to pre-book their meal right up until they board the flight. Passengers can pre-book or purchase their meals at multiple touchpoints on the day of travel. They can scan a QR code placed at check-in counters, boarding gates or in the seat-back pocket once inside the aircraft. Payments can be made seamlessly via UPI before door closure at departure. This move offers flexibility in payment options. The introduction of UPI payments is just one example of how FLY91 is leveraging innovation and technology for better efficiency and smoother customer experience. Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO, FLY91, said, “As a regional carrier, our focus has always been on enhancing the overall travel experience through practical innovation using an easy-to-use digital framework. Introducing UPI based digital payments on board is a step towards offering our passengers greater convenience, flexibility and warm meals too. FLY91’s digital-first initiative reflects our commitment to a seamless and cashless journey, while continuing to deliver quality service—even on short-haul regional routes.”  

Following government directives, the recently closed airports are now available for airlines operations. IndiGo has reopened its flight bookings and resumed operations starting 12 May, 2025 progressively on select routes, beginning with Delhi – Chandigarh, Delhi – Jammu – Delhi and Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi.  Over a course of the next few days more flights will resume gradually across the network. Indigo team is working diligently to ensure smooth, secure and seamless travel experience, supported by enhanced protocols and timely communication.

Saudia received multiple accolades in the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards and the Onboard Hospitality Awards, presented on the sidelines of the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo 2025 held in Hamburg, Germany. Saudia’s new ELIE SAAB premium amenity kit collection has earned Gold Awards from the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards for Business Class: The Middle East, First Class: Unisex Kit Middle East, and Business Class: Amenity Kit Program for the Rest of the World. This collaboration with lifestyle brand ELIE SAAB marks their debut in aviation luxury, bringing celebrated elegance exclusively to Saudia’s first and business class guests. The kits captivated judges and guests alike with their sophisticated design and luxurious contents. Moreover, Saudia’s exquisite Saudi Coffee Cup initiative was recognised with a Gold Award for First Class Glassware. This initiative features handcrafted cups representing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions. It reflects Saudia’s dedication to infusing cultural elements into its service offerings while maintaining world-class standards. Further reinforcing its status as a leader in guest comfort and innovation, Saudia was also awarded the prestigious TravelPlus Passenger Amenities Five Star Rating 2025, an honour shared by only five airlines globally this year. The Onboard Hospitality Awards also acknowledged Saudia’s innovative approach by awarding a highly commended recognition in the Best Service Equipment: Crew category for the airline’s new cabin crew uniforms. This award reflects style as well as functionality designed to enhance service delivery onboard. Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer, Saudia, said, “These awards are more than just trophies; they represent our relentless pursuit of excellence across all aspects of our guest experience at Saudia. From our pioneering collaboration with ELIE SAAB to the culturally rich Saudi Coffee Cup initiative …

Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said, “We are pushing strongly into the MICE segment with our Bid Fund Program, offering financial incentives for corporate groups, in ties with state convention bureaus. Our aim is to take this momentum further by targeting 5 lakh Indian visitors by 2026.”

Strengthening its footprint in the Indian market, Vietnam Airlines launched direct flight from Hyderabad to Hanoi. The new nonstop service will operate three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager – India, Vietnam Airlines, said, “India continues to be a key growth region for us.”

Chairing a meeting, PA Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister, Kerala decided to complete around 100 tourism projects at the initiative of the Tourism Dept this year. He directed the officials to complete the current projects in a systematic and timely manner. Discussions were held on the ongoing projects and those in the pipeline.

To support tourists stranded due to the ongoing disruption of flights from Ladakh, the All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association has decided to provide complimentary stays to guests at the hotels where they have been staying. It calls upon its member hotels and guest houses to support the measure.