Kumbh Mela is a gathering like no other—an awe-inspiring confluence of spirituality, culture, and tradition. But as millions of pilgrims and visitors converge, the challenge is clear: how do we ensure that each person’s experience is safe, accessible, and stress-free? Well, that's where India Assist steps in, working in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Government to modernise travel assistance for Mahakumbh 2025. Through Tourist Information Centres (TICs) located at key places like the railway stations, airport, and within the Mahakumbh area, we're making the Kumbh experience smoother for everyone.

Mr. Harish Khatri, Founder and MD at India Assist, shares valuable insights on enhancing travel experiences, as featured in our article on facilitating smooth travel and special needs at Kumbh.

These TICs are not your typical information desks. They’re lifelines for the millions attending the festival. Right from providing live updates on travel routes, assisting with local transportation, or guiding elderly pilgrims and those with disabilities, the TICs are designed to be accessible, responsive, and human-centered. When someone loses a belonging or needs help locating a loved one, TICs offer real-time assistance in locating them, ensuring that no pilgrim is left feeling lost or alone. The multilingual support ensures that visitors from across the globe feel heard and understood, breaking down language barriers and connecting them to the heart of the Kumbh experience.

Perhaps most importantly, TICs are equipped with a team of responsive on-ground staff that allows us to address health-related emergencies quickly. From directing pilgrims to the nearest medical station or coordinating emergency response, these centres act as the first point of contact for medical aid. In a sea of people, it’s critical that help can be found without delay. With a simple tap on our mobile application, followed by a quick phone call, we ensure that pilgrims receive the immediate assistance they need. India Assist’s involvement in large-scale events like MotoGP Bharat has given us valuable experience in managing complex logistics, tech integration, and crowd management. We've learned that the key to success is seamless coordination between technology and human touch & that’s exactly what we’re bringing to Mahakumbh 2025.

We are excited about the impact TICs will have at Kumbh. For millions of pilgrims, these centers are not just places to seek directions but also sources of care, comfort, and support. By combining technology with compassionate, on-the-ground expertise, we’re ensuring that every pilgrim’s journey remains focused on their spiritual experience, not the stress of hovering through a sea of people. As we move forward into this new era of tech-enabled religious tourism, we’re proud to play our part in making Mahakumbh 2025 safe, accessible, and unforgettable for all.

OTM 2025, the premier travel trade show in India and Asia, is set to take place from January 30 to February 1, 2025, at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre. With over 2,100 exhibitors, 40,000 buyers, and participation from 80+ countries, OTM promises to be a transformative event for the global travel and tourism industry.

This year’s edition will bring together a diverse mix of national tourism organizations, airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and travel tech innovators. Global VIPs, including Hon'ble Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Shri Omar Abdullah, and international leaders like H.E. Mr. Haim Katz (Minister of Tourism, Israel) and Mr. Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Malaysia), will grace the event.

Key Highlights of OTM 2025:

• Exclusive Destinations: Countries such as Georgia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Morocco, and Peru will exclusively participate in OTM, showcasing offerings not seen at other regional travel events.
• Networking Opportunities: Over 1,000 handpicked buyers from India’s Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities will connect with exhibitors and global destinations.
• Thought Leadership: The OTM Forum will host discussions on key industry trends, including fireside chats with government officials and sessions featuring leaders from Airbnb, Skyscanner, Booking.com, and major corporations like Deloitte and L&T.
• Specialized Events: Day 2 will highlight WeddingSutra Engage, a platform for wedding planners to explore trends in luxury celebrations and destination weddings.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Fairfest Media, shared, “India is emerging as the future growth engine for global tourism. OTM 2025 will bring unmatched opportunities for the Indian travel industry to connect with international destinations and foster collaborations.”

OTM’s strategic location in Mumbai, which contributes to over 60% of India’s outbound travel, makes it the perfect venue for this event. The city’s role as a departure point for travelers underlines its importance in shaping the future of tourism.

About OTM and Fairfest Media:

OTM Mumbai is Asia’s leading travel trade show, creating unparalleled opportunities for the Indian travel industry to engage with global markets. Organized by Fairfest Media, the event attracts Tourism Ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders from around the world. With a legacy of organizing TTF-branded travel shows in seven Indian cities, Fairfest Media continues to be a pioneer in shaping the travel ecosystem in the world’s fastest-growing market.

If you are in the travel business, mark your calendars—OTM 2025 is the event you cannot afford to miss!

ixigo, India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users, has launched a game-changing feature for train travelers – ‘Travel Guarantee’. Available on the ixigo Trains app, this innovative feature ensures passengers with unconfirmed waitlisted tickets receive a 3X refund of their fare, providing the flexibility to book alternate transport like flights or buses during emergencies.

Eliminating Travel Stress
Train travel during peak seasons often results in long waitlists, leaving passengers anxious about last-minute arrangements. ixigo’s ‘Travel Guarantee’ steps in to offer financial relief and convenience, enabling travelers to seamlessly rebook their journeys without worrying about skyrocketing fares.

How It Works:

1. Opt-in During Booking: Travelers can choose the ‘Travel Guarantee’ feature for a nominal fee when booking selected trains and classes via the ixigo Trains app.

2. Refund Process: If tickets remain waitlisted at the time of chart preparation:

• 1X refund of the fare is credited back to the original payment mode.

• 2X refund is issued as a Travel Guarantee Coupon, redeemable on flight, train, or bus bookings via ixigo.

CEO Speaks
Sharing insights on the rollout, Dinesh Kumar Kotha, CEO of ixigo Trains, said:

“At ixigo, we strive to make travel seamless and stress-free. Train waitlists, especially during festive seasons, can be frustrating for travelers. Our ‘Travel Guarantee’ feature provides a safety net by offering up to 3X refunds on unconfirmed tickets, empowering users to rebook their journey without worrying about last-minute fare hikes. We’re committed to making train travel more reliable, convenient, and worry-free for everyone.”

Revolutionizing Train Travel
ixigo continues to enhance its position as a customer-first platform with features like free cancellations, food on trains, instant refunds, and now, ‘Travel Guarantee’. The app remains a trusted companion for millions of users, delivering convenience and innovation for seamless travel experiences.

About ixigo
Founded in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited) is India’s premier travel platform, offering AI-driven solutions to book trains, flights, buses, and more. With over 48 crore Annual Active Users in Fiscal 2024, ixigo empowers travelers with smarter decisions and unmatched convenience.

For more information, visit www.ixigo.com.