The Indian government plans to open up to 50 new tourism destinations, launch a publicity campaign in overseas markets, and operationalize 59 new air routes during its presidency of the G20 this year, according to Arvind Singh, secretary at the ministry of tourism. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, India’s tourism sector has shown strong recovery in the Asia Pacific region with 6.19 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2022, a growth of 305 percent compared to 2021 when there were 1.52 million arrivals. Singh made these statements while speaking at the G20 Tourism Expo in Rajasthan.
Under the regional air connectivity scheme, the government has recommended 59 new routes to the ministry of civil aviation, of which 51 are already operational. The government is also promoting green initiatives to encourage responsible tourism in the country. Small businesses are being provided with resources for green investments, and efforts are being made to create local jobs.
Tata Group-owned Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed a deal with Bhardwaj Global Infraventures to develop two greenfield properties in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The 100-room Vivanta and 120-room Ginger hotels will be strategically located at a driving distance from the upcoming Ayodhya International Airport. Suma Venkatesh, executive vice president of real estate and development at IHCL, said that Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage site and receives high footfall throughout the year. With the addition of these hotels, IHCL will have 19 hotels across its Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger brands in Uttar Pradesh, including nine under development.
IndiGo has revealed its plans to offer codeshare connections to Sofia and Varna in Bulgaria through Istanbul. According to a statement released by the airline, there will be 20 weekly flights available, offering a range of options and easy access to Bulgaria, especially during the holiday season. Vinay Malhotra, the head of global sales at IndiGo, said that the new connections will not only improve business connectivity, but also offer affordable options for customers looking to plan their travel during the summer holidays. With the addition of this route through Turkish codeshare, IndiGo now has connections to 32 destinations in Europe. The airline has previously launched connecting flights to 15 European countries through its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines.