Earlier this month, Thomas Cook India’s company – SOTC Travel – unveiled a series of 6 regional film campaigns around travel. The campaign was launched to mark its 75th anniversary and to reinforce the company’s focus on regional markets in India.
31.10.2024 - 03:05 / skift.com / Varsha Arora / Narendra Modi / Pedro Sanchez / Bulbul Dhawan
The Delhi government said it would allow restaurants to operate round the clock in the Delhi Aerocity business district near the Delhi airport. The area currently has several 4- and 5-star hotels operating throughout the day and night, as well as office and retail spaces meant for the convenience of travelers.
Due to the close proximity to the airport, the area has a heavy footfall, and travelers come in at all times of the day. With this approval, standalone restaurants in the Aerocity area will be able to function throughout the day and cater to these tourists.
In an official statement, the Delhi government said that the approval will lead to an increase in tourists and also boost the government’s revenue through licensing fees. The precedent for this has been set in Haryana’s Gurgaon, a prominent business area. Gurgaon restaurants have recorded a growth in revenue due to this move.
The Allure of Food: A Skift Research report earlier this month pointed out the importance of food in attracting Indian tourists. Our researcher Varsha Arora reported that on her recent trip to Hanoi, she saw Indian restaurants thriving in almost every lane of Old Quarter, a welcome change from 2019.
International visitors also contribute to the culinary tourism market in India. A report by research firm Future Market Insights last year estimated the culinary tourism market in India at over $23 billion. And by 2033, it forecasts it will rise to $182.5 billion, annual growth of 23%.
“India has a great deal of tourism potential due to its rich cultural heritage as well as its gastronomy,” the report said. “International tourists are increasingly interested in culinary tourism, a concept that was not often associated with India until recently.” It also said that over the past few years, culinary tourism activities in India have surged in terms of value.
Hotels across the country are routinely holding food festivals showcasing different cuisines from different regions. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported that its food and beverage revenue increased 12% as compared to the year before.
During Spanish head of state Pedro Sanchez’s visit to India this week, it was decided by Sanchez and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that 2026 will be marked as the Year of India and Spain in Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Both the countries will increase their efforts to incorporate the cultural presence of the other nation in their respective museums, art, fairs, film, festivals, literature, and more.
The countries will also think of ways to increase the flow of tourists, and increase bilateral investments in hospitality, cuisine, marketing, and architecture in both urban and rural
Earlier this month, Thomas Cook India’s company – SOTC Travel – unveiled a series of 6 regional film campaigns around travel. The campaign was launched to mark its 75th anniversary and to reinforce the company’s focus on regional markets in India.
Global hotel rates are expected to rise in 2025, but with more moderate price increases when compared to recent years, according to the recent Amex Global Business Travel Hotel Monitor 2025 report.
The Indian aviation sector is poised for significant growth, and civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu believes the country might need 4,000 additional planes over the next two decades to cater to the demand. Currently, Indian airlines are operating around 800 planes and have an order book of over 1,200 aircraft.
Oct 28, 2024 • 9 min read
Budget carrier IndiGo on Friday reported a loss of INR 9.9 billion ($118 million) in the most recent quarter – a reversal after seven straight profitable reports for India’s largest airline.
While many travelers will soon be hitting the roads and taking to the skies for holidays, a new report shows that anyone planning a getaway should be wary of credit card scams while booking any upcoming trips.
Online travel company Ixigo’s board on Thursday approved plans to acquire a 51% stake in train e-catering food service Zoop. The deal is for INR 125.4 million ($1.5 million).
Goa’s Department of Tourism has launched a slew of adventure tourism activities, such as paramotoring and shooting range experiences along with white water rafting, bungee jumping, and scuba diving. This, it said, is meant to cater to the growing demand for unique experiences among travelers.
Indians spent over $2 billion on international travel in August, data from the Indian central bank shows – the highest amount in the past 12 months. Travel held the lion’s share in total overseas spending during the month: close to 63% of $3.2 billion.
This episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on India’s evolving corporate travel market. Avinash Chandani, partner at Deloitte India, talks to Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia about the growth potential of the Indian corporate travel market. Key topics include growth drivers, industry trends like blended travel, the impact of technology and data, and the role of travel management companies. The podcast provides an insight into how businesses are navigating high travel costs, geopolitical challenges, and shifting traveler expectations providing a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges in India’s corporate travel landscape, with a mix of data-driven analysis and expert commentary.
Breezing through airport security without an ID or a boarding pass may have once been a futuristic idea. Today, it is a reality in India.
Oct 21, 2024 • 8 min read