Ministry of Civil Aviation has undergone through a significant reshuffling. Vir Vikram Yadav has been appointed as the new Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Yadav, a 1996-batch officer of Odisha cadre, succeeds Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. Kidwai has been moved to the Department of Personnel and training (DoPT) as Additional Secretary...

To cater to the growing demand for visas in Bhubaneswar and the Odisha region and to further enhance convenience for visa applicants, VFS Global has announced the launch of its new, state-of-the-art Visa Application Centre in Bhubaneswar. This also marks VFS Global’s second Visa Application Centre in eastern India...

Air India announced Halwara, Ludhiana as its newest destination in India, enhancing access for travellers from Punjab to Delhi and beyond to destinations around the world. Beginning May 15, 2026, the airline will operate two flights every day between Delhi and Halwara using its A320 Family aircraft and becoming the first airline to launch flights to Halwara...

Star Alliance officially welcomed ITA Airways as its newest member, marking the completion of the Italian carrier’s integration. The entry was marked during a ceremony held at the Piazza di Spagna Lounge, Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3. The ceremony was presided over by ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Joerg Eberhart; Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer...

As announced at the recent Agoda Media roundtable, Booking Holdings will soon be unifying Agoda, Booking.com & Priceline B2B arms, aiming at simplifying engagement for global partners and enhancing innovation capabilities. Agoda senior officials also shared some interesting data around the APAC region highlighting a growth of about 9% CAGR (2025–2027), far outpacing other regions.

Miiro, the lifestyle hotel brand from InterGlobe Enterprises, has announced the opening of Miiro Spittelberg in Vienna, a new addition to its growing European portfolio. This opening marks Miiro’s second hotel in Vienna and its sixth launch since the brand’s debut in 2024. Miiro Spittelberg features 132 guestrooms and suites, blending warm neutrals with bold accents, natural textures...

Courtyard by Marriott announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati. This will be the first Courtyard by Marriott in Andhra Pradesh. Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President – South Asia, Marriott International commented, said “Tirupati is one of the country’s most prominent spiritual destinations, drawing significant year-round footfall, and establishing a presence here is a...

The First Group Hospitality and MIDROC Investment Group have signed a master agreement to develop and operate 10 properties across Ethiopia, marking a significant growth of internationally branded hospitality assets in the East African country. The agreement was formalised during the Future Hospitality Summit Africa in Nairobi...

Crown & Champa Resorts has announced the appointment of Think Strawberries as its official representative in India, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening its presence in one of its most important and rapidly growing source markets. Through this strategic partnership, the renowned Maldivian hospitality group aims to further engage with the Indian travel trade, media, and consumers to...

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Ltd. (ROHL) announced the signing of a new upscale property in Mundra, Gujarat. The upcoming Regenta Hotel, Mundra will be operated under a hotel management agreement, reinforcing ROHL’s asset-light expansion strategy and strengthening its presence in key industrial and port cities across India...