Israel made a remarkable impact at BLTM 2025 by winning the Best Booth Decoration Award, reaffirming its strong position in India’s travel and MICE market. The pavilion, creatively inspired by Jerusalem’s Old City walls, Tel Aviv’s buzzing beaches, and the iconic Dead Sea, drew over 5,000 visitors and hosted more than 500 B2B meetings during the three-day showcase at the India International Convention Centre (IICC).

The inauguration was led by Galit Hoffman, Consul- Tourism Affairs for India, IMOT, in the presence of Shri Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, NCT of Delhi, who applauded the pavilion’s energy and design.

Israel’s showcase at BLTM focused on positioning the country as a holistic destination. For the MICE segment, it highlighted advanced convention facilities, modern infrastructure, and tailor-made incentive itineraries. Destination weddings emerged as a key highlight, with Israel offering couples a blend of history, modernity, and natural beauty from Jerusalem’s heritage sites to beachside venues and desert landscapes. On the leisure side, the destination presented diverse options such as desert treks, skiing on Mount Hermon, floating in the Dead Sea, or enjoying Tel Aviv’s vibrant coastal life.

Adding to the momentum was the debut of Noah Tours, a leading Israeli DMC, which connected with corporates, wedding planners, and agents to promote customised experiences.

Speaking about the participation, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT India, said, “BLTM gave us the opportunity to present Israel’s true breadth, as a destination that blends business with leisure, heritage with innovation, and snow with desert. For Indian travellers, Israel is not only efficient for events but also inspiring and unforgettable.”

Echoing this, Galit Hoffman noted, “India and Israel share strong and long-standing ties, and tourism plays an important role in strengthening those bonds. With India as Israel’s top Asian market and ranking 11th globally, we see tremendous potential in deepening our cooperation through MICE, destination weddings, and strategic partnerships that connect people and economies.”

With this recognition, Israel has not only showcased its creativity but also reinforced its position as a dynamic and versatile travel destination for the Indian market.

Palace Hotel Tokyo is ringing in the holiday season with its festive stay package, ‘A Tokyo Christmas’. Designed to capture the magic of Christmas in the heart of the city, the package blends luxurious accommodation, indulgent dining, and a guided tour of Tokyo’s celebrated winter illuminations.

Guests booking the experience can choose between the Premier Suite or Executive Suite for a two-night stay, complemented by Club Lounge privileges that include afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés, and a choice of daily breakfast either in-room or at the lounge. Adding to the holiday cheer, each suite will feature a 5.9-foot decorated Christmas tree, along with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut, festive cookies, and an in-house crafted Christmas cake.

The holiday spirit extends throughout the hotel with sparkling décor and a 16-foot Christmas tree in the lobby. A highlight of the package is the four-hour ‘Tokyo Illuminations’ tour, chauffeuring guests across the city to admire iconic light displays along Marunouchi Naka Dori, Omotesando, Shibuya, and more. Guests can also explore Christmas markets at Roppongi and Azabudai Hills, with a professional photographer capturing memories along the way.

Dining takes centre stage at Grand Kitchen, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, which offers a six-course Christmas menu featuring delicacies like abalone, snow crab, steamed flounder with caviar, and premium Japanese beef. Guests may also opt for Michelin-starred dining at Esterre by Alain Ducasse or experience traditional Japanese menus at Wadakura, GO, or Tatsumi. For those preferring the comfort of their suite, an assortment of exquisite Christmas cakes from Sweets & Deli – from pistachio mousse creations to strawberry shortcake and the signature Marron Chantilly are available.

To complete the festive spread, Sweets & Deli also presents European-style Christmas breads such as stollen, kouglof, and panettone, infused with Japanese flavours like yuzu marzipan, kinako, and matcha with chestnuts.

For more details: www.en.palacehoteltokyo.com/offer/a-tokyo-christmas

About Palace Hotel Tokyo:

Situated in the prestigious Marunouchi district, Palace Hotel Tokyo offers 284 rooms and suites, evian SPA, and ten restaurants and bars, including Michelin-starred Esterre by Alain Ducasse and Amber Palace. With a legacy of over 50 years, the hotel continues to uphold its reputation for refined Japanese hospitality and holds Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star status for both its property and spa.

Tired of cloudy skies during the Indian monsoon? This season, swap the grey for clear, starry nights and watch the Milky Way unfold above you. Across the world, there are destinations where light pollution is minimal, skies are pristine, and the galaxy shines in its full brilliance. All you need is a curious mind and a bit of warmth in your backpack.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

The northernmost Emirate is a magical stage for stargazing, with the Al Wadi Desert and Hajar Mountains offering some of the region’s darkest skies. Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak, provides an incredible vantage point where the Milky Way’s galactic core is visible between May and October. Guided astronomy sessions at the Jebel Jais Observation Deck and luxury desert resorts make the experience even more memorable.

Mahé & La Digue, Seychelles

Beyond its turquoise waters and palm-fringed shores, Seychelles transforms into a natural planetarium between May and October. On Mahé, Anse Intendance Beach and Morne Seychellois National Park are perfect dark spots. On La Digue, Grand Anse offers uninterrupted views of the galaxy. With just a pair of binoculars, you can glimpse constellations and even the hidden heart of our galaxy.

Azerbaijan

The Caucasus nation is a rising star for astronomy lovers. The Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, the largest in the region, hosts guided telescope sessions. In the Shahdag Mountains and remote highlands, summer nights from June to September reveal the Milky Way in sweeping clarity. It’s a unique blend of science, tradition, and unspoiled nature.

Kenya

Kenya is as spectacular by night as it is by day. With its equatorial location, both northern and southern constellations are visible. Regions like Turkana, Laikipia, Samburu, and Amboseli offer skies almost untouched by light pollution. Pair this with safaris, astro-camping, and Maasai star lore, and you have a celestial safari unlike any other.

Qatar

In Qatar, deserts transform into stargazers’ sanctuaries. The Zekreet Peninsula, Al Aamriya, Dukhan, and Sealine Beach deliver dark skies from March to October. Visitors can join Bedouin-style stargazing safaris or simply spread a blanket and watch the Milky Way emerge. With a cup of hot karak in hand, it’s a desert night of silence, wonder, and whispered shooting stars.

Negev, Israel

Mitzpe Ramon and the vast Ramon Crater in Israel’s Negev Desert have been recognized as an official Dark Sky Park. From April to October, the galaxy appears in stunning detail across the desert. Guided astronomy tours and the sheer silence of the landscape make it one of the world’s most authentic stargazing experiences.

The Milky Way reminds us that the best souvenirs from travel are often not tangible but moments etched in memory and stars captured in our cameras.