Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, in a strategic initiative to transform the country’s tourism landscape. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Ms. Seema Jain, Director, Destination Development Division, Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Romil Pant, Executive Vice President & Head – Holidays, Thomas Cook (India) Limited. The event took place in the presence of key dignitaries, including Mr. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Mr. Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tourism.

The collaboration focuses on gathering direct and verified traveller feedback to assess India’s best-performing tourism destinations while identifying areas that need improvement. By leveraging its strong physical and digital presence, Thomas Cook India will integrate a co-branded feedback form, standardised by the Ministry, across its platforms. These insights will capture visitor opinions on cleanliness, safety, accessibility, service standards, and overall experiences.

This MoU, valid for three years, underscores a shared commitment to enhancing domestic tourism through transparency and data-driven decision-making. The anonymised, aggregated data will be shared with the Ministry of Tourism to support interventions aimed at improving infrastructure and services at destinations across India.

Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General – Ministry of Tourism, said, “We are extremely delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with Thomas Cook India. The idea behind this collaboration is to see how the Ministry of Tourism can collect real-time feedback from users at key destinations across the country. Our aim is to use this data as a foundation to identify and promote destinations that are able to provide great experiences. This marks the first step in a long journey ahead, and we hope this partnership proves fruitful for both of us.”

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited, added, “We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Tourism on this transformative initiative. With our extensive reach and deep understanding of Indian travellers, Thomas Cook India is uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights on destination performance. Our collaboration will focus on gathering authentic feedback from our customers to empower the Ministry’s efforts in enhancing the quality, safety, and sustainability of India’s tourism offerings.”

Pune Gas, in association with Alister Kitchen Equipments, successfully hosted Culinary Futures, a three-day immersive event curated for India’s hospitality and commercial kitchen consultants. Held in Pune from 12th to 14th September, the event brought together consultants from across the country to explore future-ready solutions for the HoReCa sector through innovation, collaboration, and cultural experiences.

The event began with a grand welcome at Shaniwar Wada, followed by a heritage food walk through Pune’s old city, giving participants a taste of the city’s authentic sights, sounds, and culinary delights.

Day two became the highlight, as consultants toured the Pune Gas manufacturing facility. The visit offered deep insights into best practices for gas safety, efficiency, and system design, areas often overlooked despite fuel being a critical resource for hospitality businesses. Pune Gas showcased innovations such as the LPGenius Smart LPG System, LeakCheck Gas Leak Detection System, and other advanced technologies, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted solutions provider.

Participants also visited customer sites powered by Pune Gas systems, gaining firsthand exposure to its efficient installations. A standout moment was the demonstration of an all gas-fired generator at a Pune bakery, which impressed attendees with its reliability and practical application. The day concluded with a cocktail dinner and networking mixer, celebrating collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The third day featured live demonstrations at Alister Equipments’ factory, including the launch of a new product that showcased the brand’s commitment to building next-generation commercial kitchens.

Jesal Sampat, Executive Director at Pune Gas, shared, “Collaboration with consultants is crucial in designing world-class kitchens. With over four decades of innovation, Pune Gas continues to prioritize safety and efficiency while shaping the future of HoReCa.”

Kitchen consultant P. Sravan Kumar from Hyderabad remarked, “Pune Gas innovations are helping HoReCa businesses achieve higher efficiency while reducing operational costs. The exposure to their manufacturing process and interaction with their team reinforced our trust in them as a reliable partner.”

The event reinforced the growing role of kitchen consultants as key enablers in designing safe, efficient, and sustainable kitchens, while also highlighting the shared vision of empowering India’s HoReCa industry.

Culinary Futures was not just about products but also about partnerships and the prosperity of an industry that feeds millions every day.

The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FTCCI) Tourism Committee has introduced two creative contests to promote Hyderabad and Telangana’s tourism potential. Marking World Tourism Day, the initiatives were announced during a press meet and stakeholder interaction at FTCCI, Red Hills.

The first contest, Hyderabad Junction Jewels, a Photo Contest, encourages citizens to capture Hyderabad’s vibrant traffic junction attractions from iconic installations like the Pearl near Charminar to statues, fountains, and beautification projects that reflect the city’s culture.

The second, Weekend Getaways of Hyderabad, a Reel Contest, invites travellers and storytellers to showcase hidden gems within a 150 km radius of Hyderabad. These short reels aim to highlight lakes, heritage sites, trekking trails, cultural hubs, resorts, and local food streets, positioning Hyderabad as a hub for family outings and cultural escapes.

Alongside the contests, a citizen pledge titled “I Pledge to Promote Telangana Tourism, My State, My Pride!” was administered to foster pride, respect, and responsibility toward the state’s heritage and attractions.

Speaking at the launch, FTCCI President R. Ravi Kumar said, “Hyderabad is not just a historic city; it is a modern hub with vibrant attractions. These contests will encourage citizens to rediscover and showcase our city’s beauty.”

Mr. Srinivas Garimella, Vice President of FTCCI, added, “Every traffic island and every weekend getaway tells a story. With this contest, we hope to capture those stories through the lens of our citizens.”

Both contests are open to all age groups, with no entry fee and unlimited submissions allowed. The last date for entries is November 15, 2025. Winners will be announced and felicitated on November 22, 2025, observed as Father of Tourism Day. Cash prizes range from ₹10,000 to ₹5,000, along with consolation prizes. Winning entries may be featured in exhibitions, coffee table books, calendars, and across FTCCI’s social media platforms.

The contests are organised in association with partners such as GHMC, Telangana Tourism Department, Creatorverse Studio, Hotels and Restaurants Association of Telangana State (HRATS), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), and SKAL International Hyderabad (confirmation awaited).

Mr. Ravi Prabhu, FTCCI Tourism Committee Member and a global traveller, said, “We aim to highlight both the iconic and the hidden gems of Hyderabad and Telangana. Through photography and reels, we want to make tourism more participatory and people-driven.”

Dr. Mani Pavitra, Founder of Creatorverse Studio, supporting the reel contest, noted, “Short-form video is today’s most powerful storytelling medium. This initiative will empower travellers to spotlight hidden weekend gems and inspire new explorations.”

With these initiatives, FTCCI Tourism Committee aims to strengthen Telangana’s identity as a dynamic, people-driven tourism destination.