Expressing concern on the recent proposal to increase excise duty on liquor in Maharashtra, HRAWI in a letter to Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM & Minister of Finance & Excise, Maharashtra, said the proposed hike is expected to cause a sharp rise in the retail prices of alcoholic beverages reportedly between 14% to 60% across various categories, with the steepest increase in IMFL.

Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism, Visakhapatnam, has called for positioning the city as a global-standard tourism destination. He urged officials to create awareness campaigns promoting adventure, water sports, and cruise tourism. Highlighting the potential to host major national and international events, he said that the city should have 10,000 star-rated hotels.

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Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “With the opening of D Square Statue of Unity Kevadia, a member of Radisson Individuals, we further strengthen our footprint in Gujarat. This hotel offers a distinct blend of local character and modern hospitality, in line with our strategy to grow our portfolio in emerging leisure destinations across the country. We are proud to contribute to this transformation by offering high-quality hospitality that complements the area’s cultural richness and sustainable development focus.”

IndiGo announces direct flights between Hindon (Ghaziabad) and Goa, starting July 20. Operating daily except Saturdays, this new route offers a convenient and time-saving travel option for residents of East and Central Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad by bringing Goa’s iconic beaches closer than ever. The flexible schedule is designed to cater to the increasing demand during peak travel season, offering more choice and comfort to travellers.

Saudi Arabia introduces a 30-day grace period for expired visit visas. This initiative starts from June 26-27, 2025. Visitors can extend their stay and exit legally without penalties. They must pay fees via the Absher platform. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reminds pilgrims to exit on time. This move ensures compliance with immigration rules and eases departure.

India continued to retain its position as the largest source for the tourism market in Nepal in 2025, according to the Nepal government’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation data. Between January and May this year, 5.01 lakh tourists visited Nepal, with Indians accounting for nearly 23% of the total share, with 1.15 lakh tourists.

Underscoring that MSMEs, including boutique hotels and local catering services, are crucial to the MICE segment in India, Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, said, “Boutique is the new big. These enterprises make India event-ready, but to grow, they need low-interest infrastructure loans, policy stability and public-private partnerships.”

In a significant push to the tourism sector, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) signed 82 MoUs for investments amounting to ₹10,329 crore during the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Conclave Tech AI 2.0. The pact spans wellness, eco-tourism, caravan tourism, hospitality infrastructure, homestays, and digital solutions.

With Wimbledon underway and the India-England Test match around the corner, tourism companies in India are witnessing steady bookings from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) for curated experiences abroad. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & MICE, Thomas Cook, said, “We have introduced trips specially for the India-England Test match and Wimbledon.”