Loading...
You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on August 7, 2024
As August approaches, Indian travelers are gearing up for long weekends, eager to explore both domestic and international destinations. Booking.com, a leading digital travel platform, has released insights into the most sought-after locations for these mini getaways, timed around holidays like Independence Day (August 15), Raksha Bandhan (August 19), and Janmashtami (August 26).
With the extended holidays in August, Indian travelers are seeking a variety of experiences, from bustling city life to serene retreats. Major metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi are top choices, with many opting to return home or blend work and leisure. Nearby leisure spots within driving distance, such as Lonavala, Ooty, and Mahabaleshwar, are also popular for a quick change of scenery. Cultural and spiritual destinations like Udaipur, Jaipur, Varanasi, and Puri are seeing increased interest as well.
Top 10 Most Searched Domestic Destinations:
Udaipur
Lonavala
Jaipur
Ooty
Kodaikanal
Munnar
Goa
Mahabaleshwar
Varanasi
Puri
Top 5 Most Searched Indian Metros:
Bengaluru
Mumbai
Delhi
Chennai
Hyderabad
For those looking to travel abroad, short-haul international destinations are gaining traction, thanks to visa-friendly policies and improved flight connectivity. Dubai leads the list with its luxury attractions, while Southeast Asian cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Phuket are also popular among Indian travelers.
Top 10 Most Searched International Destinations:
Dubai
Singapore
London
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Bali
Paris
Phuket
Abu Dhabi
Tokyo
Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, highlighted the growing preference for short trips. "This year’s travel trends data reveals a growing appetite for short breaks, with 65% of Indian travelers seeking a short domestic trip and nearly half (44%) interested in a short international escape, both within a 4-night framework," he said. The data also shows a rising interest in less traditional destinations such as Hampi, Madikeri, Ujjain, and Gokarna.
Booking.com remains committed to helping travelers make the most of their time off by offering a wide selection of travel options tailored to their needs.
Methodology
The data is based on search sessions conducted between July 28, 2024, and July 31, 2024, for check-in dates between August 15-19, 2024, and August 24-26, 2024. Note that this data is forward-looking and may change based on actual bookings.
Empowering Hospitality: The Bingoforge Journey from Vision t...
At the heart of Bingoforge lies a vision that has remained u...
Keytop Tech Solutions: India’s Trusted IT Infrastructure & H...
In today’s fast-paced digital economy, businesses need more ...
Frill Hospitality: Redefining Luxury & Sustainability in Hot...
Since its inception in 2016, Frill Hospitality has been at t...
Beyond the Brew: Brau GALIE’s Bold New Beer-Tequila Cocktail...
If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to cocktails, ...
By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 30, 2025
India’s premier B2B travel networking event, India International Travel Mart (IITM), completed impactful editions in Chennai (16–18 July) and Bangalore (24–26 July) 2025, reinforcing its reputation as South India’s biggest travel exhibition and a catalyst for domestic and international tourism promotion.
Now in its 26th year in these cities, IITM brought together a diverse mix of tourism boards, DMCs, hotel groups, airlines, travel startups, and technology platforms. Over three days at each venue, the exhibitions enabled immersive trade engagement, destination showcases, and high-value networking opportunities.
The Chennai edition, hosted at Chennai Trade Centre, was inaugurated by Thiru T. Christuraj, Director of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. Dignitaries included:
Sri Venkatesan D, Regional Director, India Tourism
Smt. T. Devaki, Chairperson, Travel Agents Association of India
Sri Kamaleshwaran, President, SKAL International, Chennai
Sri Pankaj Ravish, General Manager, IRCTC
Sri Pawan Kumar Gupta, Vice President, SIMA
Sri Ashok Kumar P, Chairman, ADTOI
The Bangalore edition, held at Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds, was inaugurated by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh. Guests of Honor included:
Sri Neelu Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism
Sri Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh
Sri Vivek Acharya, MD, Chhattisgarh Tourism
Mr. Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director, Tourism Malaysia Chennai
Sri Biswajit Routray, Additional Director, Odisha Tourism
Sri Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, UP Tourism
Sri Lokesh Bettaiah, VP, TAAI
Sri Niranjan Bhargava, Chairman, TAAI
Mr. M. Vinod, President, AATO
Mr. Kaulesh Kumar, General Secretary, ABTO
Mr. Amish Desai, MC Member, TAAI
Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, said:
“Both editions exceeded expectations in terms of participation, partnerships, and buyer engagement. The enthusiasm from India’s domestic and outbound tourism stakeholders is encouraging as we push toward broader industry resurgence.”
Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, added:
“Chennai and Bangalore remain integral to India’s tourism landscape. The enthusiasm, scale, and trade engagement at IITM reaffirm its role as a strategic B2B platform.”
25+ Indian states represented
20+ international tourism boards
800+ exhibitors
Thousands of B2B meetings and interactions across both cities
For over 20 years, IITM has built a legacy as one of India’s most credible and business-focused travel trade shows. It uniquely connects travel products with decision-makers through:
Dedicated B2B focus
Themed pavilions: luxury travel, tech, sustainable tourism
Launchpad for destinations and services
South India’s largest travel trade shows
Following Chennai and Bangalore, the upcoming editions of IITM promise more robust business opportunities:
Delhi: 24 – 26 September 2025
Mumbai: 9 – 11 October 2025
Pune: 27 – 29 November 2025
Hyderabad: 4 – 6 December 2025
Kochi: 8 – 10 January 2026
Kolkata: 12 – 14 February 2026
Ahmedabad: 12 – 14 March 2026
With an unwavering commitment to connect, collaborate, and catalyze tourism growth, IITM remains the gold standard for India’s travel trade engagement.
For more information, contact: +91 8040834100Email: media@spheretravelmedia.com
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on July 28, 2025
The long-awaited inauguration of the upgraded terminal at Thoothukudi airport has been widely welcomed by local industry bodies, who see it as a game-changer for the region’s industrial and cargo logistics landscape. Scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26, the new terminal, alongside an extended runway and night landing facilities, marks a major milestone for southern Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure growth.
Industrial stakeholders have expressed optimism about the development, stating that the enhanced facilities will provide a significant boost to business operations, cargo movement, and travel convenience for entrepreneurs, industrialists, and the public from both Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. The airport’s strategic location between these two growing urban clusters adds further relevance to the upgrade.
D.R. Kodeeswaran, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thoothukudi, highlighted the city’s rapid emergence as a top investment destination in the region. He underlined several ambitious projects in the pipeline, including the outer harbour development of V.O. Chidambaranar Port, ISRO’s upcoming rocket launch site at Kulasekarappatinam, a new furniture park in the SIPCOT industrial estate, and the Vietnamese auto giant VinFast’s new manufacturing plant.
He also called for improved air connectivity to major cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kochi. At present, only IndiGo and SpiceJet operate from Thoothukudi, and Kodeeswaran emphasized the need for more airlines to consider operations to and from the region. Notably, the airport has already recorded a 15.2% growth in passenger traffic in 2024-2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting increasing demand.
Echoing similar sentiments, R. Edwin Samuel, Former Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Thoothukudi, stressed the need to elevate the airport to international status to allow flights to international destinations like Male, Colombo and Dubai. He remarked that the timing of the terminal’s inauguration aligns well with Thoothukudi’s rise as a spiritual tourism hub and its growing relevance to regional industrial development.
He also added that as the SIPCOT hub in nearby Gangaikondan prepares to welcome several prominent companies, robust air connectivity would play a critical role in sustaining and accelerating the region’s industrial growth trajectory.
Published on July 27, 2025
There’s something about Israel that lingers in the heart long after the passport is stamped. Maybe it’s the golden light bathing ancient stone, or the electric energy of Tel Aviv’s sunset streets. Either way, travellers worldwide have spoken—and the latest Travel + Leisure 2025 rankings confirm it.
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have both made it to the Top 10 Cities in the Middle East and Africa, as voted by the magazine’s global readership. Jerusalem proudly retains its third place, admired for its deep spiritual resonance and centuries-old heritage. Readers highlighted its cultural landmarks, immersive culinary scene, and a unique timelessness that makes it a city like no other.
Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is climbing the charts—jumping from eighth in 2024 to fifth this year. This coastal city has been winning hearts with its vibrant street life, modern flair, and commitment to sustainability and design, particularly among younger travellers.
For Indian travellers, the results strike a familiar chord. The rising interest in Israel reflects a growing appreciation for destinations that combine spiritual experiences, rich culture, and a globally relevant lifestyle.
In Jerusalem, time feels like it folds in on itself. The city offers more than religious symbolism—it offers living history. Walk the Via Dolorosa, pause at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, reflect at the Western Wall, or take in breathtaking views from the Ramparts Walk. The Tower of David Museum adds a modern narrative through its Night Spectacular sound and light show, while the Mahane Yehuda Market bursts with flavours—think artisanal cheeses, local wines, spices, and sweets.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s cosmopolitan vibe makes it one of the most forward-looking cities in the region. Known globally as a vegan capital, it’s also a treasure trove of Bauhaus architecture—explored best at the Liebling Haus or on a stroll through Neve Tzedek, now reimagined as a hotspot for fashion, theatre, and art. Food lovers can indulge in everything from bourekas to gourmet vegan fare, while bicycle and Segway tours through Florentin and Rothschild Boulevard reveal the city’s street art and creative energy. Come evening, the rhythm shifts to jazz bars, speakeasies, and beachfront cafés, keeping the city alive well past sunset.
One standout factor in this year’s rankings is traveller confidence. Despite global uncertainties, Israel has emerged not just as a popular destination but as a trusted one—where safety, culture, food, and hospitality come together seamlessly.
This recognition is more than just a spot on a list—it’s a signal that Israel continues to inspire, surprise, and welcome with open arms.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.