Travel
Best September destinations in India: Goa, Gangtok, Andaman & beyond
September is a great time to visit Goa as the monsoons begin to retreat, leaving the beaches clean and the landscapes lush. The weather is pleasant with occasional showers, and the tourist crowds are still low. This is the perfect time to enjoy Goa’s natural beauty, visit its famous churches and forts, and experience the vibrant local culture without the peak season rush.
Bangladesh crisis crash-lands on Indian tourism
Political unrest in Bangladesh is causing a significant drop in inbound tourism to India. Bangladeshi travelers, who usually make up 23% of India’s inbound tourism—primarily for medical and shopping reasons—have seen a 90% decline in outbound travel due to recent turmoil. With flights disrupted and visa services limited, travel between the two countries has nearly halted. This decline, particularly affecting popular destinations like Kolkata and Northeast India, has led to a 40% drop in bookings from Bangladeshi visitors.
Foreign tourist arrivals reach 41 Lakh from January to May, marking a 9% increase
From January to May 2024, foreign tourist arrivals in India rose by 9.1 percent, reaching 40.7 lakh. Foreign exchange earnings also saw a significant increase, growing by nearly 22.5 percent from the previous year. Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the growth's positive economic impact and outlined government initiatives to further boost the tourism sector.
Travel, hospitality service providers see surge in demand for extended weekend
Indian travelers are showing increased interest in travel for the upcoming Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan long weekend to top domestic destinations including Goa, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Lonavala. MakeMyTrip and Airbnb reported a surge in bookings for both domestic and international travel. Southern cities in India saw significant growth and a preference for accessible domestic locations. International destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, and Dubai are also popular choices for Indian travelers.
Tourism sector could resolve 50% of India's employment challenges: Lemon Tree CMD
At the first National Conclave on India 2047 organized by IIM Calcutta, Patanjali Govind Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, highlighted the tourism sector's potential to address 50% of India's employment challenges with proper government support. He noted that while tourism significantly contributes to GDP and employment in other countries, in India, it only accounts for 6.5% of GDP and employment.
Augmenting tourism infra, projection of India as 365 days’ destination needs to be constantly worked upon: Tourism Ministry
India's Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in the past year reached 9.24 million, marking a 43.5% increase, with foreign exchange earnings totaling ₹2,31,927 crores, up 65.74%. The Ministry of Tourism's annual report highlights the need to enhance tourism infrastructure, simplify visa procedures, and promote India as a year-round destination.
5 breathtaking road trips through the heart of Northeast India
This route takes you from the bustling city of Guwahati through lush green valleys, dense forests, and over the Sela Pass at 13,700 feet, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and serene lakes. The journey ends in Tawang, home to the famous Tawang Monastery.
Early bird gets the ticket to vacation this Diwali: Travel portals to customers
MakeMyTrip and Cleartrip noted a significant rise in early bookings for Diwali travel. Train tickets on popular routes are rapidly filling up, and airfares have increased by 15% for October-November. Last year's high airfares and waitlisted train routes impacted travel plans. MakeMyTrip recommended booking train tickets three months early to ensure availability.
Indians to spend $55 billion on outbound tourism in 20 years: Report
Outbound tourism spending from India was projected to rise from USD 18.82 billion in 2024 to USD 55.39 billion by 2034. Nangia NXT and Ficci's report highlighted the dominance of packaged tours in 2024 and the role of rising disposable incomes, visa reforms, and social media in driving this growth.
India's tour and travel revenue set to soar 15-17 per cent this fiscal: CRISIL
India's tour and travel operators are poised to see a 15-17% revenue increase this fiscal year, driven by rising domestic tourism and a growing trend towards international travel, according to Crisil's latest report. This follows a significant 40% revenue spike last fiscal, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Key factors include improved infrastructure, rising incomes, and government support for domestic tourism. The report highlights strong financial health and operating margins for travel operators, bolstered by a shift from 'revenge travel' to more frequent vacations and an increase in both domestic and outbound travel.
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Indian outbound tourism to grow at over 11% CAGR through 2034: FICCI-Nangia report
India's outbound tourism market is expected to reach USD 18817.72 million (USD 18.81 billion) in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 11.4 per cent in the decade between 2024 and 2034 to reach approximately USD 55388.41 million (USD 55.38 billion), highlighted a FICCI-Nangia knowledge paper.
Hoist the sails: India’s cruise tourism faces a host of challenges despite tax incentives for foreign liners
The World, the largest privately-owned residential yacht, visited Visakhapatnam. India, with its extensive coastline and rivers, holds potential for cruise tourism. The government has introduced tax incentives and infrastructure improvements to boost this industry, aiming to attract more international and domestic cruise operators.
ATDC signs an MoU with Tata Group subsidiaries to boost tourism in Assam
The Assam Tourism Development Corporation signed an MoU with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited and the Indian Hotels Company Limited to develop a Taj Resort and Spa in Kaziranga. This project, involving an investment of Rs. 120 crore, aims to enhance the state's tourism infrastructure and create significant employment opportunities.
Domestic travel operators to see 15-17 pc revenue growth this fiscal: Crisil Ratings
India's tour and travel operators expected a 15-17 per cent revenue increase this fiscal, driven by domestic and international travel. Improved infrastructure, higher incomes, and government focus on tourism contributed to growth. Steady operating margins and healthy credit profiles supported the sector, as reported by Crisil Ratings.
India's hospitality sector to see strong tailwinds; demand to outpace supply: Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook India's Executive Chairman Madhavan Menon disclosed plans to expand the hospitality sector, predicting strong demand growth. The company planned to open around 20 new holiday outlets using a phygital approach. Reported net profit and revenue saw an increase for the April-June quarter. The hospitality arm, Sterling Holidays, aimed to add 20 more resorts over the next 15 months.
Travel industry set for strong upswing in 2024: CRISIL
India's travel sector experienced a remarkable revival, with outbound tourism projected to surpass 30 million in 2024. Factors like eased COVID-19 restrictions, growing disposable incomes, and government initiatives have spurred this growth. Tour operators expected a 15-17% revenue rise this fiscal year, bolstered by domestic and international travel trends, and enhanced infrastructure.
