Sri Lanka Tourism has wrapped up its latest series of roadshows across Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai, celebrating remarkable growth in tourist arrivals from India. The island nation continues to shine as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, driven by visa-free entry, improved air connectivity, and its ever-growing appeal as a year-round getaway.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the events showcased the country’s diverse attractions, warm hospitality, and tourism potential to the South Indian market. Over 400 travel agents and tour operators from across Tamil Nadu participated, alongside 39 Sri Lankan stakeholders, including destination management companies, hotels, resorts, and tour operators.

The roadshows provided a platform for business-to-business meetings and networking evenings, allowing industry representatives to explore partnerships and strengthen travel ties between both countries. Each event drew over 200 attendees, including travel professionals, media members, and key industry figures.

India has long been Sri Lanka’s largest source market and continues to hold that position firmly. From January to September 2025, the country recorded 1,725,494 tourist arrivals, with 375,292 visitors from India, accounting for 22% of the total. Tourism earnings have already exceeded USD 2.3 billion by August 2025, highlighting the industry’s strong recovery and growth momentum.

Air connectivity plays a key role in this surge. SriLankan Airlines currently operates 88 flights every week, linking the island to nine Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Thiruvananthapuram. IndiGo and Air India also contribute to seamless travel options from South India, making short, convenient getaways to Sri Lanka even easier.

Adding cultural vibrance to the events, a Sri Lankan dance troupe performed across all three cities, captivating audiences with traditional performances that reflected the island’s rich heritage. Media gatherings with top Indian publications also helped amplify the message, positioning Sri Lanka as a must-visit destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences.

Through these engaging roadshows, Sri Lanka Tourism reinforced its commitment to deepening ties with India and inspiring travellers to rediscover the island’s charm, from its pristine beaches and lush tea hills to its ancient temples and cultural landmarks. The initiative marks yet another milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey to strengthen its presence in the Indian market and welcome travellers with open arms and unforgettable experiences.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and Cityflo have joined forces to launch dedicated feeder bus services for Mumbai Metro Line 3, following the launch of its third phase. This partnership addresses a longstanding challenge in the city: first- and last-mile connectivity. The initiative is expected to make metro commuting more convenient and boost overall ridership.

India’s metro network has seen rapid growth in the last decade, expanding from 248 km across five cities in 2014 to over 1,000 km in 23 cities today. In Mumbai alone, elevated Metro Lines 2A and 7 have carried more than 200 million passengers over the past three years, with daily ridership averaging over 300,000.

The MMRC-Cityflo feeder service will operate at high-demand stations including Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Worli, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Buses will run every 10 minutes during peak hours, ensuring minimal waiting time. Commuters can book rides via the Cityflo app or the Metro Connect 3 app, with plans for deeper integration allowing seamless booking within both platforms. Introductory fares are set at ₹29 per ride, with a monthly pass option at ₹499 to encourage regular use.

“Metro Line 3 marks a transformative phase for Mumbai’s mobility,” said R. Ramana, Director (Planning & Real Estate Development/NFBR), MMRC. “Feeder networks are key to ensuring that commuters can easily access the metro from home to work and back, making their journeys reliable and convenient.”

Jerin Venad, CEO of Cityflo, added, “This partnership aligns with our mission to make urban commuting frictionless. By integrating our buses with metro services, we aim to encourage more people to shift from private vehicles to public transport, contributing to a more sustainable city.”

The initiative represents a significant step in Mumbai’s urban transit evolution, integrating rail and road mobility into a cohesive, tech-enabled network. By bridging the last-mile gap, the MMRC-Cityflo collaboration seeks to improve commuter convenience, increase metro adoption, and reduce city congestion.

The Marriott India Business Council recently marked the 11th anniversary of its flagship initiative, Road to Give, with an energetic Hyderabad edition that brought together associates, partners, and local communities in a celebration of wellness and giving.

What started years ago as a fitness event has grown into a regional movement that champions empathy, inclusion, and community action across Marriott properties in South Asia. The Hyderabad leg began at Marriott Executive Apartments, where participants gathered for a group warm-up before setting off on a 5K run. The morning continued with a high-energy interval training session and concluded with breakfast at Altair banquet space.

This year’s edition saw more than 10,000 Marriott associates across the region come together to run, walk, cycle, and move for a cause, reflecting the company’s enduring commitment to care and service. The collective effort raised over INR 1 crore, which will go towards Rising Star Outreach of India, a Chennai-based NGO that empowers individuals and families affected by leprosy through education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.

Reaffirming Marriott’s guiding principle of Putting People First, associates from participating hotels also organised a series of wellness and charity events that encouraged both physical fitness and social responsibility.

“Each year, Road to Give reminds us of the extraordinary power of collective purpose,” said Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, Marriott India Business Council. “As we commemorate the 11th year of this remarkable initiative, we celebrate not just the funds raised or the miles covered, but the spirit of unity and compassion our associates bring to their communities. Their efforts continue to strengthen Marriott’s legacy of care and commitment across the region.”

Over time, Road to Give has become an integral part of Marriott’s culture of giving, motivating associates to drive change through empathy and wellness. Each edition reinforces the belief that true success lies in uplifting others and contributing to lasting social progress.

The Hyderabad event was supported by leading Marriott properties, including Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad, Marriott Hyderabad, Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad, Le Meridien Hyderabad, The Westin Hyderabad Hitec City, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, and Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad Gachibowli. Their joint participation reflected both community spirit and the city’s dynamic hospitality culture.

As the Marriott India Business Council looks toward another impactful year, it extends sincere gratitude to every participant, partner, and supporter who helped make the 2025 edition a success. Each step taken and every contribution made helps move closer to a more compassionate and inclusive future, one where the spirit of giving continues to inspire meaningful change.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, operates a global portfolio of over 9,600 properties across 30+ brands in 143 countries and territories. The company manages, franchises, and licenses hotel, residential, and timeshare properties worldwide. Its award-winning travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy®, connects guests with exclusive experiences and benefits.

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