Category Archives: States

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.

The Oberoi Group proudly announces the opening of The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh — a luxurious sanctuary just a few minutes’ drive from The Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India’s most renowned wildlife destinations, celebrated for its thriving population of Royal Bengal Tigers. Set across a lush 21-acre forested expanse, The Oberoi Vindhyavilas features 19 luxury tents and two luxury villas with private pools, offering guests privacy and a deep connection with nature. The interiors of the luxury tents are accentuated with tribal-inspired details and the tented canopies adorned with intricate motifs, evoking the rustic elegance of the land, brought to life through Oberoi’s signature lens of understated luxury. Thoughtfully curated design touches root the experience in place, from vivid Gond art murals in the bath area to lifelike interpretations of local wildlife, hand-painted by renowned Bandhavgarh artist Rakesh Prajapati. Sliding doors open onto a private floating deck and expansive private garden, where fountain grass and frangipani bloom under a flowering kachnar tree, creating the perfect setting to savour a morning cup of tea accompanied by the gentle symphony of birdsongs.  

Travel and tourism start-ups have grown exponentially in Kerala in recent years, fostering innovation and generating jobs. According to the state’s Tourism department, 156 start-ups have been operating in the hospitality sector. Of these, 102 started operations in the past three years. Anoop Ambika, CEO, Kerala Startup Mission, said, “79 start-ups in the tourism sector were registered with us.”

Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo, says, “This holi, we are seeing an average 45-50% YoY increase in flight bookings, driven by a mix of homebound travel, leisure getaways, and spiritual tourism. Cultural hotspots are witnessing a surge in demand this Holi. Flight bookings to Ayodhya have skyrocketed by 50% YoY for Holi, while Varanasi and Amritsar have seen a 20-30% YoY increase. Tier-2 and 3 cities are also witnessing a surge in flight bookings for the holi weekend.”

With Holi just round the corner, Indian travellers are maximising the extended weekend by opting for a blend of vibrant domestic celebrations. According to Booking.com, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Rishikesh lead as the top three most searched domestic destinations while destinations like Vrindavan, Mathura, Pushkar, Jaipur, Shantiniketan and Hampi are witnessing a surge in searches during the festive period.

Omar Abdullah, CM, Jammu & Kashmir recently apprised the legislative assembly that over 4.40 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years. To further promote tourism, the UT has allocated ₹390 crore for tourism development. in financial budget 2025-26

Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister, GoI requested the Union Minister of Tourism to set up a dedicated tourism circuit encompassing Debrigarh, Bhimamandali and Hirakud in Odisha. He said these efforts would boost the state’s tourism landscape and promote the country’s standing as a hub for heritage tourism.

KR Naidu, Aviation Minister, GoI, said, “We are going to extend the UDAN scheme for another 10 years starting from April 2027. During the 10 years, 120 new destinations will be added to the existing ones. The scheme will benefit 4 crore people, just like how we have seen addition of 1.5 crore people in the last 8 years.”  

Goa has been honoured with two prestigious PATWA International Travel Awards at ITB Berlin 2025, one of the world’s largest travel trade fairs, reaffirming its position as India’s premier tourism destination. The award for Tourism Minister of the Year – India was conferred upon Rohan A Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and governance in advancing Goa’s tourism sector. Goa was also awarded as the Destination of the Year – India, recognising the state’s diverse tourism offerings, sustainability initiatives, and global appeal. The awards were received by Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, on behalf of the Minister at the ceremony held at ITB Berlin. Expressing his gratitude, Khaunte said, “This recognition on a global platform is a testament to our commitment to responsible and innovative tourism. Goa continues to evolve as a world-class destination, offering sustainable, high-value tourism experiences while preserving its rich heritage and natural beauty.” These awards further strengthen Goa’s international positioning and reinforce its appeal as a preferred travel destination for global travellers.