Category Archives: States

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed a Vivanta hotel in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. This greenfield project marks the brand’s debut in Vellore. The 100-key property will feature a contemporary design and vibrant spaces. The hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish bar and a pool lounge bar. For meetings and social gatherings, it will house multiple meeting rooms and a banquet hall spanning over 2,500 sq. ft. Guests can also enjoy recreational amenities, including a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool.

Speaking at the panel discussion on New Horizons in Jammu & Kashmir at the 17th ATOAI Convention, Waseem Raja, Joint Director, J&K Tourism, said, “We should sign an MoU with ATOAI for skill upgradation in adventure tourism.” He noted that a growing number of youths in Jammu & Kashmir have recently taken up adventure tourism as a profession, adding that “skill upgrading is what we need to focus on”.

Speaking at the 2nd IEIA EventTech & MarTech Summit 2025 in Delhi, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General, MoT, said India’s MICE sector needs better structural alignment rather than more infrastructure. The ministry’s plan to establish city-level MICE Convention Promotion Bureaus to bring government and industry together, bundle offerings, and enable competitive bidding, he added. Under the model, bids will be endorsed by state governments and matched with central government support, encouraging grassroots-led growth and adoption of technology, including artificial intelligence.

Andhra Pradesh will host the two-day National Tourism Mart in Visakhapatnam on 13–14 February 2026, in collaboration with ADTOI, according to Kandula Durgesh, Tourism Minister. The event aims to boost domestic tourism. An MoU was signed between the state government and ADTOI in the presence of senior tourism officials to support faster growth of the sector. Prominent tour operators, hotel owners, destination promoters, tourism stakeholders, and travel experts from across the country are expected to participate.

68M Holidays bagged the ‘Most Promising Travel Company of the Year’ award at the India Travel Awards 2025. Syed Murtaja Ali, Founder & Director, said, “This award is a milestone for our company and team, symbolising growth and recognition. It also brings a greater responsibility to push boundaries, contribute more to the industry, and continue striving for excellence with confidence and commitment.”

Speaking at the ATOAI Convention, Jasmeet Singh, Chief Commercial Officer, MakeMyTrip, highlighted that last-minute planning continues to dominate leisure travel behaviour, with nearly 50% of travellers booking hotels close to their travel dates. He noted that 56% of domestic leisure hotel bookings are made within seven days of travel, reflecting increasingly spontaneous decision-making among Indian travellers. For international travel, 40% of hotel bookings are completed within 15 days of departure, underscoring a growing preference for flexibility in travel planning, Singh added.

Addressing the 17th ATOAI Convention, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, cautioned that climate change is a serious and immediate threat to adventure tourism, particularly skiing and glacier-based activities. “I can’t sell Gulmarg as a skiing destination if I don’t have snow. I can’t sell glaciers for ice climbing or mountaineering if those glaciers are melting before our eyes,” he said. Highlighting shrinking ski seasons and receding glaciers, Abdullah stressed the need for responsible and sustainable tourism. He said protecting fragile ecosystems is essential to ensure adventure tourism remains viable for future generations.

Travl360 (A Unit of T4 Initiatives) has been honoured with the ‘Most Promising MICE Operator’ award at the Indian Travel Awards 2025. Munish Sekhri, Managing Director, said winning his third award at the platform felt amazing, adding that he looks forward to continued growth in the hospitality sector and dedicates the recognition to future opportunities.

The Rajasthan cabinet has approved the Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2025. The policy proposes Special Tourism Zones, single-window clearances, PPP-led projects, new tourism circuits projection mapping, light-and-sound shows, prepaid taxi booths, e-vehicle tours and a Rajasthan Travel Card. It also strengthens tourist safety measures with a 24×7 call centre, tourist assistance force and panic-button-based systems and allots 15 acres at Kishangarh airport for a new approach-lighting system.

The Odisha government has set a target to develop 15 fully operational airports by 2047, which would significantly enhance the regional, domestic, and international air linkages. The state has 26 airports and airstrips, of which 12 are state-owned, and only five are civilian airports. Discussions were also held to formulate a comprehensive state aviation policy to streamline regulatory processes, attract private investments and facilitate uniform growth across the sector.