Tag Archives: India

India’s hospitality sector is likely to remain immune to the impact of artificial intelligence. In its latest projections, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said that the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to employ more than 63.9 million by 2035, up from 46.3 million in 2024. “This is the only industry which may be immune to the impact of AI,” said Julia Simpson, Chief Executive, WTTC.

India continued to retain its position as the largest source for the tourism market in Nepal in 2025, according to the Nepal government’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation data. Between January and May this year, 5.01 lakh tourists visited Nepal, with Indians accounting for nearly 23% of the total share, with 1.15 lakh tourists.

Underscoring that MSMEs, including boutique hotels and local catering services, are crucial to the MICE segment in India, Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, said, “Boutique is the new big. These enterprises make India event-ready, but to grow, they need low-interest infrastructure loans, policy stability and public-private partnerships.”

With Wimbledon underway and the India-England Test match around the corner, tourism companies in India are witnessing steady bookings from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) for curated experiences abroad. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & MICE, Thomas Cook, said, “We have introduced trips specially for the India-England Test match and Wimbledon.”

Domestic air passenger traffic is expected to grow by 7-10% in FY2026 on a YoY basis, reaching 175-181 million passengers, following a 7.6% increase on a YoY basis in FY2025 to 165.4 million passengers, according to ICRA.

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.

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

To enhance tourism between India and Nepal, a Memorandum of Association (MoU) was signed between the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) in Kathmandu.

IndiGo announces the commencement of daily direct flight connecting Mumbai to its 41st international destination, Fujairah. The only emirate situated along the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, Fujairah is renowned for its pristine beaches, majestic mountain landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. This expansion is part of IndiGo’s strategic global growth plan and further strengthens its presence in the Middle East. This marks IndiGo’s fifth destination with direct connectivity in the UAE after Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. The newly launched direct flight from Fujairah to Mumbai and followed by Kannur, not only caters to the growing demand for travel from both business and leisure travellers but also comes at a favourable time, as Fujairah strengthens its position on the global adventure tourism map. In a recent development, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah are planning to launch UAE’s first cross-emirate adventure trial. This opens up new experiences for Indian travellers seeking immersive outdoor getaways. Meanwhile, the strategically planned flight timings carefully coordinated with bus arrival and departure timings are designed to ensure a seamless, hassle-free travel experience for those exploring the UAE, from the cultural charm of Sharjah to the iconic skyline of Dubai and the natural beauty of Fujairah. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to commence daily direct operations between Mumbai as well as Kannur to Fujairah, UAE’s hidden gem known for its natural beauty and growing economic significance. IndiGo already flies to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and now also to Fujairah in the UAE. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE, Fujairah offers immense potential for trade, tourism, & business. With these …

Serene Woon, Area Director-Designate, India, Middle East, and South Asia (Mumbai), Singapore Tourism Board, said, “India’s culture, diversity, and growing global influence make it a key focus and growth market for us at STB. Together with my team and our partners, I look forward to building on the strong foundation we have established and bringing Singapore closer to Indian travellers.”