40th IATO Convention concludes in Puri; next in Visakhapatnam
The 40th Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) concluded in Puri with over 1,200 delegates in attendance. Held at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts, the three-day event featured business sessions, networking opportunities, and the Indian Tourism Fair. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida, and senior officials graced the inaugural. Former IATO President Pronab Sarkar received the Hall of Fame Award. The next edition will be hosted in Visakhapatnam.
Air India Express brings Onam Sadya to the skies
Air India Express is celebrating Onam by offering a specially curated ‘Gourmair’ Onam Sadya on international flights from and to Kerala and Mangaluru between August 24 and September 6, 2025. Guests can pre-book the festive meal up to 18 hours before departure on the airline’s website or app. Served on a banana leaf in Kasavu-inspired custom packaging, the Sadya features authentic Kerala delicacies, bringing the festive spirit onboard at an all-inclusive price of ₹500.
Ujjain to host PHDCCI’s Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave
Ujjain will host PHDCCI’s 2nd Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave, on August 27, 2025, at Hotel Anjushree. Organised with the Ministry of Tourism and MP Tourism Board, the event will be inaugurated by MP Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Spiritual leader Gauranga Das Prabhu will deliver the keynote. The conclave will also see the release of the PHDCCI-KPMG Report Faith & Flow on India’s spiritual tourism sector.
Türkiye adds Sardis and Bintepe to UNESCO World Heritage List
Türkiye has secured its 22nd UNESCO World Heritage Site with the inscription of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bintepe at the 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris. Formerly the capital of the wealthy Lydian civilisation, Sardis is renowned for its archaeological and architectural significance, while Bintepe houses some of the largest tumulus tombs globally. Recognised under Criterion (iii), the site highlights Anatolia’s rich heritage.
#First Opinion
“GST rationalisation has the potential to transform Indian hospitality into a globally competitive force. While we welcome the Council’s consideration of a simplified structure, it is equally critical to align tariff thresholds with inflation and global benchmarks. To position India as a top five tourism destination globally as envisaged, India’s competitiveness will have to be enhanced. The rate of 18% tax for hotels is too prohibitive, increasing hotel tariff to put India’s competitiveness globally at risk. The much-needed broad rationalization for hotels should be such as to encourage greater productivity and larger contribution to GDP and to attract urgently needed investments in the sector.”
K.B. Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India
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