The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), led by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, has released the second phase (April 2026) ranking of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs). This data-driven ranking system, first introduced in October 2025, is a key reform aimed at strengthening training standards, enhancing safety, and promoting accountability...

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announced the opening of Le Méridien Surat, marking the brand’s debut in city and second brand hotel in Gujrat. Set along the banks of the Tapi River, the hotel offers a thoughtfully designed stay that encourages guests to savour each moment, connecting with local culture and curated culinary...

Despite the complexities and current crisis, the overarching sentiment is largely optimistic. With India’s travel and hospitality sector currently contributing around 5–6% to GDP and projected to reach 10% in the coming years, the industry is poised for significant expansion. The industry experts couldn’t agree more.

Tourism Malaysia Mumbai announced the appointment of Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director, effective April 13, 2026. She will spearhead Malaysia’s tourism promotion and market development efforts across Western and Central India, as well as the Maldives...

Ernst & Young LLP (EY India), in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), in its latest report “Reimagining Inbound Tourism in India: Trends, Technology & Transformational Opportunities – Towards Incredible India 4.0,” has proposed a revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure for hotel accommodations, recommending a reduction in the higher...

Skyscanner recently released its Smarter Summer travel 2026 report, which reflects that despite a backdrop of uncertainty, summer travel is still on for many, with 77% of Indians confident about travelling in the next 3 months. Nearly 9 in 10 Indians are planning or have already booked their Summer 2026 holiday. With only about 38% yet to book their summer holidays, but are actively looking...

From a single property in Shillong in 1991 to becoming one of Northeast India’s largest homegrown hotel chains, Polo Hotels & Resorts is reshaping the region’s hospitality landscape. The brand has unveiled a refreshed brand architecture, marking the beginning of its next growth phase with a sharper focus on experiential, destination-led hospitality. At a recent media meet up in Delhi, Founder...

Noor Mahal Delhi NCR – Autograph Collection Hotel announced the appointment of Teena Nichani as its Director of Operations. This strategic leadership addition comes as the hotel strengthens its position as a flagship property under Marriott International’s prestigious Autograph Collection portfolio. A seasoned hospitality professional with over 26 years of experience, Nichani brings...

Yatra Online Limited (Yatra) announced a major upgrade to its AI-powered travel assistant, DIYA, making it AI assistant capable of planning and booking dynamic multi-city travel itineraries across destinations, cities, and countries in a single conversation. This upgrade marks an advancement in AI-led travel technology. “DIYA leverages the semantic intelligence of Large Language Models to...

Spalba has appointed Erica Seo as Business Head – APAC, as the company expands its experiential vertical, Spalba Live, across the Asia-Pacific region. Seo will drive APAC business and strategy with a focus on revenue growth, regional partnerships, and multi-market event mandates, as demand rises for large-format, experience-led corporate and brand events...