Business Travel on the Rise: USD 1.8 Trillion Forecast by 2027 Predicts GBTA 2023 Index

Business Travel on the Rise: USD 1.8 Trillion Forecast by 2027 Predicts GBTA 2023 Index

By Author

Published on December 23, 2023

As the world marches towards 2027, the global business travel sector is poised to reach a staggering USD 1.8 trillion, marking a significant leap in the industry. The 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index Report has shed light on this remarkable growth, indicating a faster-than-expected rebound. In 2023 alone, business travel spending rose by 47 percent, reaching USD 1.03 trillion, and is projected to continue its upward trajectory.

Last year's business events scene painted an equally impressive picture. The ICCA statistical forecast revealed an astonishing 349 percent increase in in-person events. Out of the 10,602 recorded business events globally, 9,009, accounting for 85 percent, were in-person, with the Middle East leading the charge. The region accounted for the highest percentage of in-person delegates at 94 percent, as per the official figures.

Looking ahead, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 is setting the stage for a groundbreaking collaboration. Slated from May 6-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM has joined forces with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). This strategic alliance, designating ICCA and GBTA as 'Knowledge Partners,' is a testament to ATM's commitment to enhancing the value and innovation of its regional trade show. This partnership is expected to offer profound insights and open new opportunities for the burgeoning business events and travel segments.

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The business travel industry's growth trajectory is complemented by an evolving landscape. Despite the global rebound, many firms are rethinking their travel strategies. The shift towards video conferencing and rail trips over flying, while slower to return business travel to 2019 levels, is a nod to environmental concerns. This trend is a balancing act between maintaining corporate relationships and minimizing overall emissions, reflecting a conscientious approach to business travel.

During ATM 2024, ICCA will delve into various MICE industry topics through seminars, while GBTA will unveil the prevailing trends in the business travel sector. These sessions are designed to provide attendees with valuable insights into recent research, innovations, and best practices.

The collaboration brings together diverse perspectives. Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, expresses enthusiasm about this inclusive approach, marking an exciting chapter for business events in future editions. Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President EMEA and APAC at GBTA, emphasizes the MEA region's potential and its impressive recovery to 95 percent of pre-pandemic spending in 2022.

The upcoming 31st edition of ATM, themed 'Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,' focuses on exploring how travel and tourism innovators can attract greater funding and significantly boost the sector's contribution to the global GDP. Last year's event, with over 40,000 attendees, set a new benchmark, and this year's edition is poised to raise the bar even higher.


A Treat for Moms – Must-Visit Restaurants This Mother's Day

A Treat for Moms – Must-Visit Restaurants This Mother's Day

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 10, 2025

Mother's Day is the perfect excuse to shower your mom with love and indulge her in a memorable dining experience. Across Delhi and NCR, restaurants are pulling out all the stops—from complimentary desserts to special gifts—to ensure your celebration is filled with warmth, flavor, and togetherness. Here’s a roundup of must-visit spots where you can dine, delight, and celebrate the most important woman in your life:

Boston Chicken, Connaught Place

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Celebrate this Mother's Day with a soul-satisfying American-style feast at Boston Chicken, now open in Connaught Place. Known for its iconic rotisserie chicken and homestyle sides, the restaurant offers the comforting flavors moms love. Guests can enjoy signature dishes like Chicken Caesar Salad, Baja Bowl, and Boston Chicken Breast Steak in a warm and relaxed setting.

  • Ground Floor, Malhotra Building, F-30, Connaught Place, New Delhi
  • 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
  • 9266868750

Miss Nora, Noida

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Give your mom a flavorful escape to the East with Miss Nora’s Pan-Asian delights. From sushi and crystal-clear dim sums to fluffy baos and stone bowls, every dish is crafted with care. This Mother’s Day, guests will be treated to a complimentary brownie topped with a special message—because nothing says love like dessert.

  • Level 3, RCube Monad Mall, Sector 43, Noida
  • 12 PM – 11:30 PM

Café Delhi Heights + Neighbourly, Gurgaon

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This Mother's Day, Café Delhi Heights is all about heartfelt gestures. All mother-child duos dining on May 11th will receive a complimentary dish—a small token of appreciation for years of unconditional love. Available at all Café Delhi Heights outlets and Neighbourly, Gurgaon, this celebration promises feel-good food and warm vibes.

  • All CDH outlets and Neighbourly, Gurgaon

IKIGAI by Café Delhi Heights, Defence Colony

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Celebrate love, nourishment, and shared moments at IKIGAI by Café Delhi Heights with a hands-on Mother’s Day Salad-Making experience. Choose from a spread of fresh ingredients and craft a wholesome bowl together. Pick a bloom from the floral wall as a souvenir of your celebration—because every mother deserves to feel cherished.

  • D-4, Defence Colony, New Delhi
  • 8:15 AM – 1:00 AM

SAULE – Kitchen & Bar, Noida

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Set against the scenic greens of Jaypee Wishtown, SAULE invites you to celebrate with soulful music, curated pop-ups, and a warm atmosphere. All moms dining on May 11th will receive a complimentary Motichoor Parfait and a Mango Lavender Slush mocktail. Don’t miss the floral photo booth and Instagram offer—tag @saulekitchenbar and enjoy 15% off on select bills.

  • Golf Street Hub, Jaypee Wishtown, Sector 128, Noida
  • 12 PM – 2 AM

Harajuku Tokyo Café

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Add a Japanese twist to your Mother’s Day celebration at Harajuku Tokyo Café. Every mom will be gifted a complimentary fortune cookie filled with warm wishes. Guests can also enjoy the exclusive Mother’s Day Bento Cakes, available in three delightful flavors.

  • Ambience Mall, Gurugram | M3M IFC Tower, Gurugram | Select Citywalk, Saket
  • 10 AM – 11 PM / Midnight

This Mother's Day, take a pause, raise a toast, and share a meal that says it all — love, gratitude, and the joy of being together.


Top Spots to Catch the IPL Action in Bangalore This Season

Top Spots to Catch the IPL Action in Bangalore This Season

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 27, 2025

Cricket season is here—and so is the hunt for the perfect spot to catch all the IPL action in Bangalore. Whether you’re a die-hard fan chasing every boundary or just soaking in the vibes with brews and friends, the city has lined up some fantastic venues to turn match nights into full-blown experiences. From rooftop views to stadium-like energy and irresistible bar offers, here’s where you can catch every thrilling moment this April-May.

Ouzo by Fire — Drinks Specials & Big Screen Action

Located on 100 Ft Road, Ouzo by Fire brings cricket spirit alive with a tempting Buy 2, Get 1 Free on alcoholic beverages during all IPL matches. Pair it with bold Goan-Mangalorean flavours, a lively bar setting, and big screens, and you’ve got a perfect match-night hangout.

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Highlights:

  • Buy 2, Get 1 Free on alcoholic drinks
  • Live match screenings
  • Goan Bar & Grill vibes
  • Ouzo by Fire, 100 Ft Road, Indiranagar | April-May | 7:00 PM onwards

2Moons — Cricket with a View

Perched atop 1MG Mall, 2Moons offers an elegant escape from the typical cricket crowd. Expect skyline views, a globally-inspired menu, handcrafted cocktails, and a warm, luxe atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for couples or small groups looking to turn match night into a mood.

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Highlights:

  • Rooftop city views
  • Curated global cuisine
  • Signature cocktails & premium pours
  • Warm, luxe ambiance
  • 2Moons, 1MG Mall, Bangalore | April-May | 7:00 PM onwards

Maize and Malt — Big Screens, Bold Brews

For those who love high-energy cricket nights, Maize and Malt in Whitefield delivers with house-crafted beers, hearty pub food, and multiple big screens. Known for its stadium-like energy, it’s a great spot whether you're arriving solo or with your full squad.

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Highlights:

  • Large-format IPL screenings
  • House-brewed beers on tap
  • Hearty pub fare & game-day offers
  • Stadium-like energy 
  • Maize and Malt, Whitefield | April-May | 7:00 PM onwards

Whether you’re chasing rooftop sunsets, craft brews, or electrifying cricket vibes, these Bangalore hotspots promise to deliver the perfect IPL fix. Bookmark your favourites, rally your crew, and let the good times and sixes roll!


DWP Privé’s Sri Lankan Edition Redefines Global Wedding Collaborations

DWP Privé’s Sri Lankan Edition Redefines Global Wedding Collaborations

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 24, 2025

DWP Privé, the limited edition of the globally celebrated Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress by QnA International, concluded its Sri Lankan chapter in style. Hosted at the iconic Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams in Colombo, the three-day event celebrated the best in luxury wedding planning, design, and hospitality with meaningful conversations, vibrant cultural exchanges, and future-shaping collaborations.

This edition brought together top wedding professionals and hospitality leaders from across the globe, all under one roof, to explore new dimensions in storytelling, event design, sustainability, and partnership-building.

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Representing the host hotel partner, Sanjiv Hulugalle, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Cinnamon Life, shared a bold vision of positioning Colombo as a global luxury wedding destination. He emphasized how storytelling, innovation, and partnerships will play a central role in shaping this narrative. Lisa Mendis, Director of Events at Cinnamon Life, reflected on the impact: "As hosts, it’s been phenomenal. The exposure has put us on the international map and opened doors for more collaborations."

From the opening cocktail night to inspiring keynote sessions and creative masterclasses, DWP Privé combined business with experience. Global event designer Preston Bailey captured the essence of luxury design saying, "Don’t copy—create your own story. Uniqueness is everything in the luxury space." Meanwhile, India’s Sumant Jayakrishnan reminded young designers that design begins with storytelling, not spectacle.

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The event featured insightful sessions from celebrated names such as Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Aarti Manocha, and Nadia Duran, with a standout performance by mentalist Juliet Arndt, reinforcing the importance of positive thinking and manifestation.

Day 3 brought powerful regional voices to the forefront, including Elizabeth Solaru, Aime Bone, Mahesh Shirodkar, and Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, among others. Devika Narain led a critical conversation on sustainability in weddings, urging the industry to adopt conscious practices without compromising creativity.

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The edition left a lasting impression on global attendees. Digvijay Singh of Alila Fort Bishangarh noted that discussions were already leading to business closures, while Pervez Taufiq from the USA praised the opportunity to form intimate collaborations. Guadalupe Alvarez from Mexico loved the new format, calling it “insane” in the best way.

Sidh NC, Director at QnA International, summed it up perfectly: “There’s nothing quite like DWP Privé. It’s intimate yet global, insightful yet warm. This edition in Sri Lanka reminded us why we do what we do.”

As the curtains fall on the Colombo chapter, the DWP legacy continues to grow—with the next stop already announced in Jordan.

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