Category Archives: States

Kandula Durgesh, Tourism Minister, Government of Andhra Pradesh, announced that the government is considering a new heritage tourism policy for the state to preserve historic buildings and unlock their revenue generation potential. He also talked about hospitality projects worth ₹723 crore approved in six months, generating nearly 200,000 jobs, while highlighting proactive policies, infrastructure expansion, and global outreach through major platforms like ITB Berlin and WTM London.

The 55ᵗʰ FHRAI Annual Convention has kicked off in Bengaluru with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, projecting India as a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Highlighting hospitality’s rising demand, he noted industry status for 50 iconic destinations and said 18 states had extended this recognition. He stressed investments today will power tourism and hospitality growth tomorrow.

At its roadshow in New Delhi, Michael Dominic, Managing Director, CGH Earth Experience Hotels, revealed the group’s ambitious expansion beyond South India. Upcoming projects include a wellness retreat in Uttarakhand and tea-estate-based properties in Kalimpong and Kurseong, scheduled to open by early 2026. Additional developments are planned in Bandhavgarh, Spiti Valley, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Goa, and Sakleshpur. By the end of 2025, the brand will add four new units, with three more slated for early 2026. The group’s Saha brand is driving growth by converting heritage villas into unique experiential stays, reinforcing its positioning in sustainable, community-driven hospitality.

Noida International Airport (NIA) will be inaugurated on 30 October, revealed KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI. Passenger operations are expected to begin within 45 days of the launch. In its first phase, the airport will connect around 10 cities, largely metros. International operations will start later. He said, “Major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata will be among the first to be linked. Apart from passenger operations, there is also significant potential for cargo flights.”

With the new Mopa airport operational now, Goa is witnessing an expansion in scheduled international flights, especially from countries in the Gulf region and Iran. New direct flight services are being lined up: for instance, the resumption of flights to Gatwick (UK) by September end, and from October 5, three weekly flights from Yekaterinburg, Russia to Mopa. Between January and June 2025, the state welcomed 5.45 million tourists (domestic + international), comprising 5.18 million domestic and 0.27 million international travellers, representing an 8.4% year-on-year increase.

The Skål International India National Congress 2025, held recently in Mumbai, brought together more than 200 delegates from across India and abroad. The roadmap for Vision 2025-2030 was also unveiled at the event, outlining strategies to expand Skål’s footprint across India, strengthen member engagement, and deepen global linkages. India’s leadership in the Skål movement was reaffirmed during the congress as the country officially became the largest Skål nation in the world by membership, surpassing the USA. Mukesh Batra, President, Skål International Mumbai South, said, “This congress is not just about numbers; it is about values, vision, and vitality.”

Mizoram experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2024–25, attracting 524,784 visitors, comprising 518,873 domestic and 5,911 international visitors, according to the state tourism department. The growth represents a 139.5% increase compared to the previous financial year. However, the growth trend for foreign tourists is expected to decline in the coming years due to the Centre’s decision to reimpose the Protected Area Regime (PAR) from December 2024. The move requires foreigners to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) before entering Mizoram and certain other northeastern states.

India’s homestay sector is emerging as a powerful driver of tourism, culture, and community-led growth. According to NITI Aayog’s report ‘Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways’, the market reached ₹4,722 crore in 2024, growing at 11% CAGR. Key trends reveal that 69% of Indian travellers prefer offbeat destinations and 72% actively support local communities, while digital nomads fuel long-term stays. Despite this promise, challenges, such as complex registration, fragmented policies, and limited incentives, persist. With streamlined single-window systems, tax relief, and capacity-building measures, the sector could unlock massive potential in women-led entrepreneurship, cultural revival, and sustainable tourism.

As per MakeMyTrip’s latest findings, pilgrimage travel trends highlight broad-based momentum with 34 destinations recording double-digit growth and 15 destinations growing by over 25%. The strong growth in pilgrimage demand is also driving an aggressive expansion of accommodation supply across key destinations. The breadth of growth across pilgrimage destinations can be seen in centres such as Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Puri (Odisha), Amritsar (Punjab) and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), which continue to grow.

For the first time, the Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, has invited proposals from investors to develop and operate farm stay accommodations across the state. Jaiveer Singh, Tourism Minister, UP, said that the state is taking rural tourism to the next level with a vision that is entirely new. “This initiative is not just about creating farm accommodations — it is about turning our villages into vibrant centres of culture, livelihood, and learning. Tourists today are eager to escape concrete jungles and experience authentic farm life — from milking cows at dawn to sharing meals in rural kitchens. We are ready to provide that warmth, simplicity, and authenticity,” he said.