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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 28, 2025
To strengthen India’s scuba diving and adventure tourism sector, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has collaborated with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership is aimed at improving diver safety, maintaining global consistency in training, and encouraging responsible tourism practices across the country.
With nearly six decades of global expertise, PADI brings its extensive experience in diver education and safety standards. ATOAI, known for its efforts in promoting adventure tourism and supporting operators across India, contributes its local insights and industry network to ensure the partnership creates meaningful impact. Together, both organisations aim to position India as a premier destination for safe and sustainable diving.
Thomas Knedlik, Vice President, PADI Asia Pacific, said, “PADI is thrilled to partner with ATOAI to advance sustainable adventure tourism and diving in India. This collaboration will help showcase India as a world-class diving destination, enhance diver education and safety through PADI’s global standards, and contribute to the development and adoption of ISO standards for scuba diving in India. We look forward to inspiring more people to explore and protect India’s incredible underwater world.”
The MoU focuses on enhancing safety and training standards by aligning with international best practices. PADI and ATOAI will work together to train operators, encourage eco-friendly operations, and promote awareness about marine preservation. The collaboration also includes joint participation at national and international trade shows to highlight India’s diving potential and engage with global adventure tourism stakeholders.
Ajeet Bajaj, President of ATOAI, added, “This collaboration with PADI marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in Responsible Adventure Tourism. By uniting ATOAI’s deep-rooted knowledge of India’s diverse adventure landscape with PADI’s internationally recognised expertise in diving safety and education, we aim to set new benchmarks in quality, safety and sustainability and showcase India as a world class diving and water sports destination. We propose to work closely with Bureau of Indian Standards & PADI to help develop and adopt robust national standards for scuba diving and other adventure activities. Together, we are committed to building a responsible and resilient adventure tourism ecosystem that not only offers world-class experiences but also protects and celebrates our natural heritage.”
The PADI–ATOAI partnership is expected to boost the visibility of India’s dive industry, open new employment avenues for local communities, and support economic growth across the adventure tourism segment. With this initiative, India takes another step forward in shaping a future where adventure and sustainability go hand in hand, encouraging people to explore the country’s underwater beauty while protecting its delicate marine ecosystems.
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Published on November 20, 2025
Urban Square Mall, Udaipur has enhanced its premium retail offerings with the launch of Palmonas, one of India’s most loved demi-fine jewellery brands. This new addition marks Palmonas’ first store in Rajasthan, bringing its blend of elegance and contemporary style to the City of Lakes. Located on the ground floor with a 750 sq. ft. space, the store adds a fresh mix of modern design and everyday luxury to the mall’s retail line-up.
Palmonas introduces Udaipur shoppers to an exquisite range of demi-fine jewellery that balances luxury and everyday wear. The store features a carefully curated collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, crafted with high-quality materials and modern aesthetics. Each piece reflects the brand’s focus on elegance, versatility, and fine craftsmanship, making it ideal for both daily use and special occasions.
Nandini Taneja, CEO, Bhumika Enterprises, said, “The launch of Palmonas' first store in Rajasthan at Urban Square Mall reflects our commitment to bringing distinctive and aspirational brands closer to Udaipur's shoppers. Palmonas adds a touch of modern elegance and individuality to our retail mix. Urban Square has been designed as a complete lifestyle destination where visitors can explore everything, from fashion and jewellery to dining and entertainment, all under one roof.”
With Palmonas now part of its growing portfolio, Urban Square Mall continues to elevate Udaipur’s retail and lifestyle experience. The mall has become a vibrant destination where fashion, food, and entertainment come together, shaping a modern and enjoyable shopping environment for the city.
Ramee Hotels has announced the signing of a new 100-key resort in Karjat, strengthening the group’s expansion plans across Maharashtra. The upcoming property is being developed in partnership with Blue Neck Group and is currently in its greenfield stage. Once completed, it is set to become a leading leisure and events destination in the region.
Set against Karjat’s lush mountains and scenic waterfall views, the resort is planned as a blend of leisure, celebration, and lifestyle offerings. The design includes open lawns, landscaped recreational zones, dedicated event and party areas, terrace sections, and a swimming pool that elevate the overall guest experience.
Guests can also look forward to modern dining spaces, well-curated recreational facilities, and comfortable hospitality features, making it ideal for vacations, celebrations, corporate retreats, and weekend getaways.
Sharing his thoughts on the signing, Mr. Raj Shetty, Founder, Chairman & Managing Worker, Ramee Group, said, “Ramee Hotels has always focused on building destinations that resonate with today’s travellers. Karjat offers tremendous potential, and this new resort will be developed with the same passion and commitment that define our brand. We look forward to creating a landmark destination that welcomes families, corporates, and holidaymakers alike.”
Speaking on the development, Saurabh Gahoi, Senior Vice President, Ramee Group of Hotels, said, “Karjat is becoming one of Maharashtra’s most sought-after leisure and celebration destinations. This signing is an important step in our growth strategy as we continue expanding into high-potential markets. Our collaboration with Blue Neck Group reflects our commitment to creating properties that bring together exceptional hospitality, thoughtful design, and meaningful guest experiences.”
With this new addition, Ramee Hotels continues to build on its growth strategy, focusing on locations with strong tourism potential and rising demand for leisure and MICE travel.
By Hariharan U
Published on November 19, 2025
Thrillophilia has released its Women & Travel Decisions 2025 report, and the findings point to a strong shift inside Indian homes. Women are now at the centre of India’s leisure travel decisions, quietly driving 72% of trip planning across the country. The study is based on 212,000 itineraries and 8.9 million planning signals, showing how women are choosing destinations, curating experiences, handling budgets, and shaping how the entire family travels.
The report highlights that women prefer to plan early, compare more carefully, and double-check before confirming anything. On average, they book nine days earlier than men, which helps keep prices steady, prevent last-minute changes, and brings cancellations down by 18%. They also spend more time reading reviews, checking photos, and sharing itineraries within family and friend groups to make sure every detail is right. Still, even though women lead the planning, 62% of payments on women-planned couple trips are made by men.
Thrillophilia’s data also shows a clear theme in women’s choices: a smart luxury approach. This doesn’t mean flashy spending, but thoughtful indulgence, boutique stays, spa sessions, wellness walks, and slow mornings. Women add 28% more premium upgrades to their carts, yet their total spending stays only 6% higher than men’s. It’s not overspending; it’s making sharper choices.
Safety remains a major focus. Women apply more than three times the number of safety filters, resulting in fewer travel emergencies and a 23% drop in SOS calls. Their deeper research directly leads to smoother trips.
Chitra Gurnani Daga, Co-founder, Thrillophilia, said, "Indian leisure is increasingly a She-Planner economy. Women are curating smarter itineraries, earlier bookings, safety-first choices, and meaningful upgrades without blowing the budget. As women continue to lead India's travel decisions, the industry is shifting toward more thoughtful planning, better value choices, and deeply curated experiences."
For domestic trips, women prefer easy-paced and high-value destinations such as Rajasthan and Kerala, with Goa following closely. Internationally, they lean towards places that mix value and comfort Bali, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Women travelling with kids and families tend to favour slow mornings, one main activity for the day, and early dinners. This planning style leads to 7% fewer reschedules, keeping trips smoother and more predictable.
Tier 2 India is showing the strongest rise in women planners. Cities like Indore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur are rapidly emerging, with Indore alone growing 31% YoY. With this rise, the She-Planner trend is set to shape not just travel choices but a growing ecosystem built around women-led planning.
About ThrillophiliaThrillophilia is India’s leading AI-powered platform for discovering and personalizing multi-day trips. With over 100M+ users and 300,000+ travellers a year, it helps couples and families discover and book trips through verified local partners across 1,000+ locations. Based in Jaipur and operating in the UAE and the U.S., Thrillophilia combines technology, trusted supply, and human support to offer the right trip at the right price.
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