Bintan Resorts, in partnership with Travstarz Global Group, held B2B workshops in Jaipur, Lucknow and Indore recently. Aimed at promoting Bintan among Indian travellers, the sessions showcased luxury resorts, wellness, and connectivity via Singapore. Over 35 key agents per city participated, targeting families, honeymooners, leisure travellers, and MICE groups.

Vishal Suri, Managing Director & CEO, SOTC Travel, said, “We are targeting double-digit growth for FY25-26. Regional India is a key focus area for us. We are not only widening our reach across India but also deepening our presence in existing markets. We are investing in ties, tech integrations, and service enhancements to enhance customer engagement in high-growth markets.”

IndiGo is preparing for a major change in its global operations. The airline will soon stop using two large aircraft it had leased from Turkish Airlines to run flights to Istanbul. But IndiGo has made it clear, it is not backing out of the Istanbul route. Despite the leasing issues, it is not ending its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines.

Asego has been appointed as the official travel protection partner for the 6th OTOAI Convention 2025 in Moscow. Offering comprehensive coverage to all delegates, the company ensures peace of mind for travel trade professionals. This collaboration underscores Asego’s commitment to supporting the industry with smart, reliable travel protection as stakeholders gather to shape the future of tourism.

Balitrip Wisata’s elite offering—Balitrip Maharaya Chambers- is now open for bookings. Crafted for soulful indulgence, it redefines luxury with sunset horseback rides, private chefs, elephant bathing, heli-hops to Nusa Penida, yacht escapes to Gili and exclusive pool parties—delivering not opulence alone, but emotion, elegance and experience in every detail.

Skål Delhi has become the world’s largest Skål club. Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International India, announced plans to expand from 19 to 36 clubs, covering every Indian state and union territory. With India now ranked second globally in Skål membership, just 15 members behind the USA, the goal is to strengthen tourism industry collaboration.

India’s hospitality sector is likely to remain immune to the impact of artificial intelligence. In its latest projections, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said that the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to employ more than 63.9 million by 2035, up from 46.3 million in 2024. “This is the only industry which may be immune to the impact of AI,” said Julia Simpson, Chief Executive, WTTC.

The two-day Tourism Secretaries’ Conference of all States and Union Territories, organised by the Union MOT, is underway at SKICC, Srinagar. The conference will focus on key national-level policy areas, including tourism-related budget announcements for 2025-26, destination development and infrastructure initiatives, a review of sanctioned projects, and promotion and marketing strategies.

With India’s rising middle class and younger Indian travellers, the country is poised to reshape the global leisure travel industry. According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), global leisure travel spending is projected to triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion by 2040, driven by emerging markets like India and China.

In a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s adventure tourism sector, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has received over 130 applications from companies eager to launch operations. In response, the government has issued detailed guidelines covering operator registration, safety standards, security protocols, environmental protection and local employment, aiming at regulating the sector and ensuring tourist safety.