Category Archives: States

The sixth edition of Très, South Asia’s premier boutique travel showcase, concluded successfully at Andaz Delhi on May 2. Spanning two days, Très 2025 featured over 80 boutique hotels, retreats, lodges, camps, and innovative travel concepts rooted in luxury and mindful tourism experiences across the subcontinent. The event attracted more than 60 overseas travel operators from key markets, including the UK, France, Australia, the US, and Germany, alongside over 100 Indian travel companies from across the nation. This year, the event was proudly supported by Gujarat Tourism and its Heritage Tourism Association as the Principal Sponsor, with Uttar Pradesh Tourism serving as the Lead Sponsor. Additional support came from Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Rajasthan Tourism, all receiving enthusiastic appreciation from both the domestic and international travel trades, as well as the boutique hospitality community. “We believe the subcontinent is a premier global destination for leisure, luxury, and inspirational travel, distinguished by its unique diversity and transformative experiences. Très serves as an ideal platform to showcase these exceptional travel offerings. We are immensely grateful to our lead sponsors for their significant support, which has been a tremendous source of motivation for all involved,” said Sowmya R Vijaymohan, Director of Très. The guiding vision of Très is to connect a select group of meticulously curated properties and travel experience providers with a precisely targeted audience of tour operators and travel facilitators. This collaboration aims to stimulate travel within India as well as neighbouring regions like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, fostering broad and sustainable industry growth. Unlike traditional trade shows, Très facilitates bespoke, one-on-one appointments between buyers and sellers tailored to business interests, strengthening partnerships and exploring new markets for positive business …

In its continued efforts to position Rajasthan as a premier global destination, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), is making an exclusive and vibrant appearance at the prestigious “Colors of the World Fair” being held from 18 April to 20 April, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. The Rajasthan Pavilion is an immersive celebration of the State’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and warm hospitality. On day one, the Pavilion witnessed a grand opening ceremony and quickly became a hub of activity and attraction. Visitors were welcomed by senior officials from the Department of Tourism, along with the Presidents of FHTR and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), and prominent members of Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO). The delegation also includes renowned hoteliers, travel agents, destination management companies, event professionals, folk artists, and culinary experts. It is to be noted that Rajasthan’s presence stood out with vibrant traditional attire, including saris and turbans, soulful folk music, live culinary experiences, and engaging cultural activities and giveaways. The Pavilion received an overwhelming response from international guests, who were particularly enchanted by the live music performances and the unique opportunity to sample Rajasthani culture firsthand. President of FHTR, Kuldeep Singh Chandela delivered a heartfelt welcome address, setting the tone for Rajasthan’s participation. He, along with Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Punita Singh, also joined an insightful panel discussion on the future of global tourism, engaging with high-ranking tourism officials from across the world. The fair has also highlighted the tremendous tourism potential between Turkiye and Rajasthan, with cultural similarities and …

Ved Khanna, President, ADTOI, expresses confidence in Kashmir’s resilience as a destination. Acknowledging the immediate fallout with a spike in cancellations, he says, “My members in Kashmir have informed me their original bookings stand with people still showing interest in travelling to Kashmir, especially for the Amarnath Yatra in July. We have seen such situations before and Kashmir has always bounced back.”

Salil Panigrahi, Co-founder and MD, Atmosphere Core, “We plan to expand in India and the Indian Ocean region by offering unique experiences and differentiated products to couples and guests. An all-women-managed hotel will be open in Bhopal soon to commence its Indian operations.”

Royal Orchid Hotels signed a new upscale lifestyle property in Uttarakhand’s Mussoorie. This 70-key hotel will feature luxurious suites, multiple food & beverage options and various zones for weddings, conferences, and social gatherings. With this addition, ROHL’s footprint in the Uttarakhand region will increase to six hotels.

The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a major financial reprieve for hotel bars by significantly reducing their licence fees and registration charges. The new policy lowers the combined annual charges for bars in three-star and higher hotels from ₹66.55 lakh to ₹25 lakh, aiming to boost the hospitality sector.

GRT Hotels & Resorts hosted a vibrant meet in the capital, bringing together key players from the fraternity for an evening of networking, knowledge sharing, and partnership building. The event witnessed participation from some of the most respected names in the industry, reinforcing GRT’s commitment to strengthening its travel trade relationships across the country. The gathering showcased GRT Hotels’ expanding portfolio and innovative experiences across South India, with special emphasis on its award-winning resorts and urban escapes. Guests were also given exclusive updates on new offerings, signature experiences, and the brand’s vision for the year ahead. Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our travel trade partners have been integral to our growth journey. Events like these allow us to reconnect, exchange ideas, and explore new possibilities together. At GRT Hotels & Resorts, we believe in creating not just stays but stories – and our partners help us take those stories far and wide.”

IHCL signed the SeleQtions hotel in Anjuna, Goa, a conversion of a standalone resort with expansion of inventory to 51 keys. The hotel will offer an array of culinary experiences, including an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, and a cocktail bar. Guests can unwind with a range of recreational amenities such as a swimming pool and a well-equipped gym.

As India becomes the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, Mumbai is all set to host the Inter Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS 2025) at the Bombay Exhibition Centre on 11-12 June. The global debut of the event will showcase cutting-edge airport infrastructure and passenger experiences.

RateGain, in its latest ‘State of Car Rental’ report, revealed that 64% of operators rely heavily on competitor pricing, indicating reactive strategies and limited internal forecasting capabilities. Only 12% of operators actively use AI-driven pricing, it added.