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By Author
Published on December 29, 2023
In a significant move to rejuvenate the tourism sector, the Himachal Pradesh government kicked off the inaugural Shimla Winter Carnival, a 12-day celebration aimed at uplifting the spirits of the hill state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the event at the historic Ridge, marking a historic moment for the city.
The winter carnival holds special significance as it comes on the heels of a challenging period for Himachal Pradesh's tourism industry, severely impacted by the recent monsoon disruptions. Chief Minister Sukhu, during the inauguration, acknowledged the adverse effects of the monsoon fury but expressed optimism about the state's recovery. He highlighted the influx of 30,000 tourist vehicles in the past days as a promising sign of the tourism industry's revival.
Emphasizing the government's commitment to promoting tourism, Chief Minister Sukhu announced a substantial increase in the budget for the tourism sector, reaching Rs. 3,000 crores from the previous Rs. 50 crores. This financial boost aims to support the recovery efforts and further elevate Himachal Pradesh as a preferred tourist destination.
To facilitate a seamless experience for visitors, the state government has permitted all restaurants, dhabas, and food shops to remain open 24 hours from December 20, 2023, to January 5, 2024. This move is aligned with the government's focus on providing a warm welcome to tourists and enhancing their overall experience in the state.
The Winter Carnival promises an array of attractions, including cultural parades, folk dance performances like Mahanati, and exhibitions featuring local dishes and cultural programs. The carnival, set to conclude on January 5, 2024, is strategically timed during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, adding to the festive atmosphere in Shimla.
Apart from being a delightful experience for tourists, the carnival aims to celebrate Himachal Pradesh's rich cultural heritage. Cultural programs such as Kullavi Nati and Singtu of Sirmaur district were presented, contributing to the vibrant celebration. The event, graced by dignitaries, including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, is expected to have a positive economic impact on the state.
The Shimla Winter Carnival signifies a turning point for Himachal Pradesh's tourism, ushering in hope, festive cheer, and a promising outlook for the future.
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By Hariharan U
Published on April 23, 2026
Booking.com has unveiled its summer travel insights for 2026, highlighting a clear shift in how Indian travellers are planning their holidays. Defined as the “Era of You,” the report points to a growing preference for personalised, intention-led journeys over traditional checklist travel.
This summer, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that align with their individual interests, with a strong focus on comfort, accessibility, and meaningful experiences. Domestic travel continues to dominate, with a diverse mix of destinations shaping itineraries across the country.
High-altitude “coolcation” spots such as Ooty, Darjeeling, Munnar, and Manali remain in demand as travellers seek respite from rising temperatures. At the same time, spiritual destinations like Rishikesh and Varanasi are seeing a notable rise in popularity, reflecting increased interest in faith-led and introspective travel.
Urban and cultural destinations are also witnessing renewed traction, with cities like Jaipur and Udaipur climbing search rankings. Meanwhile, coastal favourites such as Goa and Puducherry continue to attract travellers looking for relaxed seaside getaways.
Among the most searched domestic destinations for the summer period are Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad—indicating a balanced mix of metro travel and leisure escapes.
On the international front, Indian travellers are increasingly looking east, with Asia emerging as a preferred region. Destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Ubud dominate search trends. Japan, in particular, is witnessing a surge, with Tokyo leading the list and cities like Osaka and Kyoto rapidly climbing in popularity.
While European cities such as London and Paris continue to feature among top choices, the broader trend reflects a shift toward destinations offering a mix of culture, cuisine, shopping, and convenience.
Another key insight is the growing demand for alternative accommodations. Travellers are increasingly exploring homestays, guest houses, apartments, and villas, seeking flexibility, privacy, and options that align with varied travel needs, whether for families, groups, or solo journeys.
Commenting on the trend, Santosh Kumar, Regional Head South Asia at Booking.com, noted that travellers are becoming more mindful and strategic, choosing destinations that reflect the experiences they value most. He added that the company continues to focus on simplifying the travel journey by integrating flights, stays, transport, and experiences into a seamless ecosystem.
Overall, the data underscores a broader evolution in travel behaviour, where personalisation, purpose, and convenience are shaping how Indians explore both domestic and international destinations.
In a move aimed at capturing India’s youth-driven consumption moments, Coca-Cola India and Burger King India have announced a strategic, long-term partnership with the launch of ‘Feast on Wheels.’
The initiative introduces a first-of-its-kind mobile food truck format, designed to bring curated Burger King meals paired with Coca-Cola directly to college campuses. Built around affordability, accessibility, and immersive experiences, the platform aims to meet Gen Z consumers in their natural social environments.
The concept was unveiled on April 15, 2026, at Lovely Professional University during its inter-college festival. The activation transformed the campus into a lively brand hub, featuring a fully branded food truck serving Whopper meal combos paired with Coca-Cola at student-friendly pricing.
Beyond food, the experience leaned into youth culture with live music, DJ sets, gaming zones like tic-tac-toe and ping pong, interactive brand installations, and dedicated content creation spaces to encourage organic sharing among students.
Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, highlighted the strategy behind the move, stating that youth consumption today is spontaneous and social. He noted that the partnership brings a proven meal pairing into environments where such moments naturally occur, making the experience more accessible and engaging.
Kapil Grover, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King India, emphasized the importance of cultural relevance, sharing that college campuses are where trends and energy thrive. He added that the initiative goes beyond food, helping the brand build deeper and more meaningful connections with young consumers.
By combining Coca-Cola’s global food pairing strategy with Burger King’s youth-first engagement approach, ‘Feast on Wheels’ is positioned as a scalable platform aimed at driving high-frequency consumption and long-term brand recall across India’s Gen Z landscape.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Rosetta Sakleshpur is welcoming the summer season with a specially curated mango-themed experience, inviting guests to enjoy the fruit in a refreshing and flavourful way. Set across a 100-acre coffee plantation, the property offers a calm and scenic setting where guests can slow down and make the most of the season.
At the centre of this experience is Teatro - The Estate Kitchen, where a thoughtfully designed buffet brings together regional and seasonal flavours. Raw mangoes add a tangy touch to dishes like paneer tikka and dal, while local favourites such as mango gojju and mavinakayi chitranna highlight traditional recipes. A range of summer drinks including aam panna, mango lassi, a mango mojito twist, and a mango basil slush complete the spread, keeping the focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients.
The experience also features a selection of desserts where mango takes on a more refined form. Guests can enjoy options like Alphonso mango white chocolate mousse, mango misu, and mango cream cheesecake, each offering a modern take on classic flavours. In addition, a variety of seasonal mango-based dishes are available à la carte.
With greenery all around and the peaceful pace of plantation life, Rosetta Sakleshpur creates an atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy their meals at ease. The mango-themed offering brings together food, setting, and season, making it a simple yet memorable summer experience. The experience will be available from end-April onwards.
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