Category Archives: States

IATO has taken a delegation of 22 members to Pahalgam & Srinagar, as part of its ‘Rubaroo with J&K’ initiative with an idea to revive tourism in the valley after the unfortunate terror attack some time back. In fact, LG, J&K has announced the reopening of many destinations in Pahalgam.

TAAI President Sunil Kumar announced a series of initiatives to revive tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. These include member and media meetings across 20 regional chapters, a special ‘Family and Friends’ package by the TAAI J&K Chapter, and a dedicated session on Kashmir at the TAAI Convention 2025. To enhance travel confidence, TAAI will also produce promotional videos and content highlighting the region’s offerings and safety, encouraging wider participation in the revival of Kashmir tourism.

Seasonal travel trends reflect customer preferences across many destinations, says Hussain Patel, Director, TripJack. He explains, “For instance, Asia Pacific, one of our top-selling regions, sees strong demand. Destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali experience peak interest from September to May. Year-round favourites such as Dubai and Singapore see a sharp rise during school summer holidays, especially among families. Luxury destinations like Mauritius and Seychelles see increased bookings from September to December. In Europe, France, Italy, and Switzerland are especially popular between April and June, as travellers seek scenic summer getaways. A combination of preferred travel windows and holiday seasons strongly influences these patterns.” To make the most of seasonal demand, Patel says, the company focuses on expanding global inventory. “With over 2 million hotels, our travel partners have easy access to top properties across key destinations. Our 5,000+ directly contracted hotels and Check-In Guarantee program ensure attractive rates and a seamless experience for the end customer. Additionally, our curated holiday packages make it easier for travellers to plan and enjoy stress-free travel. Yes, advance booking and planning are beneficial—our travel partners often book early to secure the best rates. The earlier the booking, the better the pricing, especially during peak travel seasons,” he adds.

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO West Bengal Chapter, has clarified that the recent news reports of a 3-month tourist ban in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve that created panic across the trade is false. “Upon intervention by IATO West Bengal, the Forest Department has officially confirmed that the news is false and unverified. Such misinformation available on social media severely impacts tourism, disrupts local livelihoods, and damages the reputation of sensitive destinations. Media must verify facts with competent authorities before publishing,” he adds.

In a bid to promote tourism in the hill State, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, launched border tourism activities at Shipki-La. He said, “We have eased restrictions for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of Shipki-La, and the tourism activities here would strengthen the economy of the local people, along with boosting tourism in the region.”  

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new hotel in Mysuru. This greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Mysuru, with its rich cultural heritage and a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, education, and tourism, continues to evolve as a key urban centre. Enhanced connectivity through recent infrastructure developments like the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is further boosting travel and tourism in the region. This signing is in line with our strategy to expanding in fast-growing economic and cultural destinations. We are delighted to partner with the Farah Group on this project.” Located near the Hebbal Industrial Area, the 115-key Vivanta, Mysuru will feature an all-day dining restaurant, and a bar. Liaquath Ali Khan, MD, Farah Builders, “We are proud to partner with IHCL to bring the Vivanta brand to Mysuru. This hotel will serve as a contemporary hub for the city’s growing hospitality needs.” Mysuru, steeped in royal heritage and cultural grandeur, is known for its magnificent palaces, vibrant traditions, and historic landmarks, including the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hills, and the scenic Brindavan Gardens. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 26 hotels in Karnataka including 12 under development.

According to HVS Anarock’s latest report, hotel occupancy in India in April 2025 increased by 2 percentage points (pp) from March 2025. In comparison to April 2024, it was up by 4–6 pp.

To strengthen ties between Oman and India’s travel trade, Oman has organised its Sales Mission in Hyderabad, which brought together industry leaders and tourism professionals from across India. The event saw engaging panel discussions on travel opportunities, strategic networking and relationship-building and insightful presentations showcasing Oman’s unique offerings.

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Atithi Gokul Hotel Inns Pvt Ltd (Part of AG Group, Ahmedabad) to develop a new hotel, “Holiday Inn Ahmedabad”. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028, the hotel reflects IHG’s strategy to expand its presence in high-potential markets across India, offering guests trusted, quality hospitality in key urban, commercial and leisure centers. Renowned globally with over 1,200 open hotels, IHG’s Holiday Inn® brand has consistently evolved over the years to meet the needs of modern travellers. Known for its warm and welcoming service that helps guests make the most of their journey and its consistent offerings, the brand remains a preferred choice among both business and leisure travellers. The Holiday Inn brand family has received exceptional response in India and the latest signing reflects a great brand fit for travellers and owners alike. Holiday Inn Ahmedabad, the 150-key hotel will form part of Highline – a mixed use development comprising residential and commercial spaces. Positioned strategically along the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway, will benefit from excellent connectivity to government institutions, educational hubs, corporate offices, and IT parks, making it an ideal choice for business and transient travellers visiting the city. Guests at the hotel will have access to well-appointed rooms and suites, three vibrant dining options including an All-Day Dining restaurant and Lobby Lounge, as well as a ballroom, fitness centre, swimming pool, and ample parking, delivering on the Holiday Inn brand promise of making travel more relaxed and enjoyable. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Gujarat with signing of Holiday Inn …