Category Archives: States

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has published the GSTC-Certified Hotels Directory, a comprehensive resource designed to help destinations, businesses, and consumers identify accommodations that have been certified as sustainable by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. It reinforces the importance of traceability and transparency from an assurance perspective, providing credible validation of sustainability certifications.

The Indian hospitality industry is experiencing significant growth in branded hotel rooms, particularly in major cities and popular tourist destinations. According to Hotelivate data, Dehradun leads this growth, with a staggering 67.5% increase in branded rooms, reaching 1,236 rooms in FY2023/24. Average occupancy rates remain strongest in tier-I cities, at 73.6%.

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.