Saudi’s New Campaign to Attract Indian Tourists

I love visiting kitschy or unique tourist landmarks on a road trip or weekend getaway. In fact, after visiting all 50 states solo, I've enjoyed my short visits to nearly all the major tourist attractions in the United States.

Goa is not ready to lose out on the destination wedding business, especially this close to the upcoming wedding season. The state has rolled back its decision to increase the fees to hold private events, including weddings.  

I am not the likeliest serial traveler to Central America. I don’t speak Spanish, or surf, or have any kind of Latin dance skills. But in recent years, I’ve been drawn to the region repeatedly, making visits to Nicaragua, Guatemala, and, this past June, to El Salvador. After the country made this year’s “52 Places to Go” list from the New York Times, I felt the familiar, early tug of intrigue that so often sends me into trip-planning mode.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan dive into the top travel stories from India this month. They explore Leela Hotels’ move toward an IPO, South Africa’s new visa reforms, and Oyo’s acquisition of Motel 6. The discussion also covers key trends in Indian aviation and how Indian millennials are driving a surge in travel spending.  

When I first leveled up from casual running to my first marathon, I went to my local Fleet Feet in Hoboken, New Jersey, to buy a pair of real running sneakers. After an extensive chat and consultation, I was pointed towards a pair of Brooks Running shoes.

Elivaas, a tech-driven luxury villa and apartment management Indian startup, has secured $5 million in a funding round led by Bengaluru-based 3one4 Capital, with participation from Peak XV’s Surge and other angel investors. 

Schloss Bangalore, the luxury hospitality group behind India’s The Leela Palaces, has filed for a massive $599 million (INR 50 billion) IPO, the largest ever in India’s hotel industry. The company seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for high-end accommodations in India while also paying down debt.

Semi-private air carrier JSX is launching a new route to Las Vegas, making it easier to connect to Sin City for the fall.

New Zealand is known for its incredibly stunning scenery — and an incredibly long flight if you live in the US like me.

Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is known to attract a wealthy crowd.

Just as September or «National Passport Month is underway, the U.S. State Department has released additional dates for its ongoing passport fairs, making applying for a first time passport even easier.  The agency published an updated schedule for September and October, which will take place in many states including California, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For example, the Seattle Passport Agency will be open on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9am-2pm, where the office is regularly closed on weekends. Applicants should be advised that appointments are required, and can be booked on the office’s website.  Other events include the Boston Passport Agency on Sept. 26, Atlanta Passport Agency on September 28, the University of Texas at Dallas on September 28, the Broward County Clerk in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Oct. 12, and more. 

Wyndham’s tech investment is paying off, the hotelier’s CEO said Wednesday.  Wyndham Connect is allowing hotel owners to communicate by SMS with hotel guests prior to arrival, for example, and offer them early check-in or the opportunity to order food and beverage upon arrival.