This summer, Indian travellers are opting for destinations that provide an escape from the ominous heat while offering visa-free travel. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE & Visa, Thomas Cook India, said, “Visa-free destinations are fuelling outbound travel demand. Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Maldives and Mauritius have seen robust growth due to ease of access.”

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) elections will be held on 10 May, 2025 at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. The elections will be conducted for the post of President and new Executive Committee Members. The next elected President will replace Rajiv Mehra, current President, IATO.

Los Angeles Tourism is back with Series 2 of its exclusive webinar for the travel trade on 27 March at 3 pm IST! Get the latest updates on the city’s top offerings and experiences. Participate in the quiz and win Amazon gift vouchers. For more information or to register, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Speaking about the company’s plans for the India market, Dillip Rajakarier, Chief Executive Officer, Minor Hotels, has revealed that they will launch a master brand soon. “Now that we have gone global, we want to put all our brands together under a master brand. Also, we will launch two new brands in India which we will announce soon,” he announced.

N Prakash Reddy, Managing Director, TGTDC, said, “To develop a comprehensive master plan for dedicated tourism clusters in Telangana, International consultants will be approached through a tender process. Established through PPP, these clusters will identify appropriate locations for essential infrastructure development. The plan encompasses hotels, resorts, transportation networks including roads, along with various tourist-centric amenities to enhance visitor experience.”

Travel Wedding Show hosted over 70 wedding planners from across India at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, facilitating over 2,000 meetings in two days. The event served as a premier platform for business and networking, bringing together top planners to discuss luxury trends, collaborations and the future of destination weddings. With a focus on innovative venue partnerships and bespoke experiences, the gathering reinforced Jaipur’s status as a premier wedding hub while shaping the future of India’s luxury wedding industry.

Keeping with its new campaign, ‘Starring Great Britain,’ VisitBritain will conduct an exclusive webinar showcasing handpicked luxury experiences for the ultimate British journey across London, England, Wales, and Scotland, focusing on luxury and culture in 2025. Join the webinar today at 3 pm to learn more. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand, said, “India is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing markets, with holiday visitor numbers experiencing double-digit growth. We are focused on enhancing our commercial ties through improved connectivity and high-impact campaigns.” Meanwhile, O and Air New Zealand signed an MoU to explore the potential for direct connectivity.

Highlighting that an India Tourism Stack can establish India as the world’s most seamless and digitally advanced travel destination, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, MOT, said, “It is time for policymakers, industry leaders, and digital innovators to come together and build the India Tourism Stack — a public good that can catalyse inclusive economic growth and elevate India’s global tourism stature.”

Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism said that the country is likely to witness its next peak in foreign tourist arrivals in 2028-2029. She added that over the next three years, the government is investing ₹120 billion ($1.4 billion) in developing infrastructure creating only alternative and detour destinations.