IHG brings Holiday Inn to Nepal’s Sudurpashchim
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed its first Holiday Inn in Nepal’s Sudurpashchim Province with Club Chaulani Ltd., marking a strategic expansion into an underserved market. Scheduled to open in Q1 2028, the 115-key Holiday Inn Dhangadhi will be located near the India–Nepal border, close to Dhangadhi Airport. Designed for business, government and leisure travellers, the hotel will offer multiple dining options, meeting spaces, a ballroom, fitness centre and pool.
Israel gears up for Christmas Pilgrims
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is preparing to welcome nearly 40,000 Christian pilgrims this Christmas as travel normalises following reduced warnings and restored flight connectivity. December is expected to see around 130,000 tourists overall. The ministry has invested heavily in upgrading Nazareth’s infrastructure, festive décor and marketing. Christmas processions in Nazareth and a special Christmas market in Acre’s Old City are set to anchor the festive tourism revival.
Goa’s spiritual trails shape reflective travel
Beyond beaches, Goa is emerging as a destination for faith-led and reflective tourism. Temples, churches and mosques across villages and hinterlands form living spiritual landscapes rather than static landmarks. The Ekadasha Teertha circuit links eleven historic temples, while the towering Ram statue at Partagali Math has become a new focal point. Large-scale pilgrim footfall during recent celebrations highlights Goa’s growing stature in spiritual and heritage tourism.
ixigo launches Global Getaway sale
ixigo has announced its ‘Global Getaway Sale’ offering a flat 12% off on international flights and hotels from December 23 to 30, 2025. With Indians increasingly opting for overseas year-end holidays, the sale caters to demand driven by easier visas and competitive fares. Using the code GLOBAL, travellers can avail discounts of up to ₹3,000 with no minimum booking value, making international escapes more accessible this festive season.
#First Opinion
“The domestic tourism growth story continues during the year-end and New Year holiday period, with sustained demand across leisure and pilgrimage destinations. Travellers are showing willingness to upgrade accommodation, and are increasingly combining leisure breaks with spiritually enriching journeys. Short-haul international travel also continues to see momentum, led by familiar regions even as newer destinations begin to gain traction. The impact of easier visa and visa-free access is playing out consistently, reinforcing India’s growing appetite for outbound travel.”
Rajesh Magow,
Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip
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