Category Archives: States

According to new research from MakeMyTrip, 69% Indian travellers expressed their willingness to choose destinations that actively promote responsible travel, with an emphasis on local sustainability initiatives. Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman, MMT & Chairman, WTTCII, said, “The Market is ready, the challenge now is for the industry to provide the products and services that meet demand.”

In the aftermath of the recent terrorist incident in Kashmir, V Vidyavathi, Secretary (Tourism), has requested all tourist service operators, travel agents, tour operators, and OTAs, tourist transport providers, hoteliers and all other accommodation units to provide all possible assistance to the tourists, including waving off cancellation fees. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu held an urgent meeting with all airline operators and issued a strong advisory against surge pricing. Airlines have been directed to maintain regular fare levels, ensuring that no passenger is burdened during this sensitive time. As part of immediate relief measures, four special flights from Srinagar—two to Delhi and two to Mumbai—have been arranged, with additional flights kept on standby to cater to further evacuation needs.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy CM Chowna Mein emphasised the need to develop a Buddhist circuit in the region to promote spiritual tourism and cultural exchange. He was speaking at the two-day International conclave on Buddha Dhamma and the culture of Northeast. He said that Namsai is a unique example of how an ancient way of life is still being practiced here. Making a strong case for initiating a Buddhist Circuit in the state he said our culture is deeply rooted in socio-religious festivals.

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the Centre to form a Himachal Scouts Battalion with local recruitment from border areas. He also sought Army support to boost border tourism up to the LAC and called for removing inner line check posts to ease permit hurdles, aiming to simplify travel and improve the tourist experience.

The India Pavilion at MATTA Fair 2025 in Kuala Lumpur marks a key highlight of the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025. Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) has taken the lead in curating and coordinating India’s participation, with a strong focus on Northeast India’s tourism potential. India’s representation this year includes 50 delegates from 18 Indian states and union territories such as Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram, Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, J&K, Andamans & Nicobar among others, each contributing regional strengths to a unified national showcase. “This platform gives us an opportunity to present India’s cultural and geographical richness to a global audience,” said Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles. “Our presence at MATTA Fair reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening tourism ties with ASEAN countries. Assam and the entire Northeast region have distinctive offerings; from wellness retreats and river cruises to wildlife experiences and community-led travel models. This year, we are bringing these stories to the forefront.” Padmapani Bora, IRS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Govt of Assam Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation added, “ATDC is proud to implement India’s participation in this landmark event and grateful to the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India for nominating us as implementing agency. We are not only representing Assam but also coordinating efforts to position Northeast India as an integral part of India’s global tourism identity. Beyond exhibitions, this is a space for building relationships, exchanging ideas, and opening new channels of growth for regional tourism stakeholders.” India’s participation at MATTA Fair is part of the broader Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025, a two-part initiative designed to foster closer tourism engagement between …

Minor Hotels announces the arrival of the Avani Hotels & Resorts brand in India with Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort, an exclusive new-build resort and branded residences development set along the scenic Sunray Beach in Visakhapatnam, India. The project will feature 117 hotel rooms and 58 branded residential villas, alongside a suite of premium amenities designed to set a new benchmark for hospitality in the region. The announcement comes as Minor Hotels significantly accelerates its expansion strategy in India, targeting 50 new openings in the country over the next decade.

Rikant Pittie, CEO & co-founder, EaseMyTrip, “For FY26, we plan to significantly scale up our EasyDarshan vertical and expand curated pilgrimage offerings across all major religious circuits like Char Dham, Jyotirlingas, Shaktipeeths, and key temples in South India. The plan is to tie up with temple trusts and local administrations to ensure pilgrims’ safety and comfort.

To enhance tourism and connectivity in the state, Sushanta Chowdhury, Tourism and Transport Minister, Tripura, announced that the state government has initiated plans to introduce seaplane tourism in the state. The initiative aims to leverage the state’s abundant water bodies to attract both domestic and international tourists with a unique aerial and aquatic travel experience.

Calling on Agoda to immediately reverse the recent changes to its commission structure, K Syama Raju, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “We strongly urge Agoda to uphold equitable business practices and maintain complete transparency in their engagements with Indian hotel partners.”

Highlighting Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh’s initiatives to promote sustainable tourism through the introduction of a 50 per cent subsidy on GSTC certification fees, CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, GSTC, raised concerns about the practical challenges of these policies, pointing out that despite the announcement, ‘no fiscal allocations had been made to fund the subsidy, which leaves the policy lacking in execution.’