Middle East tensions disrupt travel and tourism flows globally
The escalating conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran has led to dramatic disruptions in air travel — including the temporary suspension of flights from major hubs like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Such disruptions are affecting flight schedules, transit connections, and tourism plans for travellers worldwide, including those using Gulf hubs for travel to and from India. Most airlines have cancelled or delayed flights.
Hyatt Regency Gangtok hotel in Sikkim breaks ground
A new 150-room luxury hotel under the Hyatt Regency brand has officially started construction in Gangtok, Sikkim, marking a major push to boost the state’s tourism infrastructure, premium hospitality options, and appeal for destination weddings and MICE events. This is part of Sikkim’s strategy to strengthen its position as a high-end tourism hub in northeastern India and create more jobs and visitor capacity.
Holi weekend drives strong tourist footfall in Rajasthan
During the extended Holi holiday period, Rajasthan saw a significant uptick in tourism, especially from foreign visitors. Popular destinations such as Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Pushkar recorded hotel occupancies above 70–75 %, thanks to the festival and improved flight connectivity (including new connections to Jaisalmer from Delhi/Mumbai/Hyderabad). Industry leaders remain optimistic about sustaining this momentum.
Bangladesh tensions drag India’s foreign tourist arrivals down 9.4%
Foreign tourist arrivals to India dropped 9.4% in 2025 to 90.2 lakh, largely due to strained relations with Bangladesh and significantly fewer visas issued between the two countries, according to official data. Visitors from Bangladesh plunged 73% to about 4.66 lakh, causing it to slip from a top source market. Excluding Bangladesh, tourist arrivals grew modestly, with the US & UK leading inbound travel.
#First Opinion
“SATTE 2026 has been good and we hope that the bookings and the tourist flow into Jammu and Kashmir will increase now that the season has started. The Union Territory’s tourism strategy is focused on quality, sustainability and enhancing visitor experience rather than merely chasing international numbers. I’m not particularly interested in foreign tourists if I can secure a strong share of Indian travellers, who today spend significantly more and are highly aspirational. Our priority is to market Jammu & Kashmir across India and ensure that every visitor returns satisfied, valued and eager to come back.”
Omar Abdullah,
Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir
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