The hotel industry in India is experiencing significant growth, with an estimated market size of $247 billion in 2024 and a projected increase to $475 billion by 2029. Factors contributing to this growth include rising disposable income, infrastructure development, MICE tourism, and cultural and heritage tourism. Budget hotels and homestays also play a role in providing accommodation options for travelers across the country. Despite this growth, there are gaps in the Indian hotel industry, with a need for more branded hotel rooms to cater to the increasing demand, especially from domestic travelers.
In an effort to increase medical tourism, the Indian health ministry has launched a dedicated portal called Heal in India for international patients seeking medical treatment in the country. The portal provides information on treatments, hospitals, doctors, and travel information, and extends the e-medical visa facility to 165 nations. The medical tourism market in India has seen steady growth, with projections indicating that it will reach $25 billion by 2029, up from $7.42 billion in 2022. The country is aiming to attract more medical tourists by providing better infrastructure and facilities for healthcare services.
Air India Express has announced operations in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with six weekly direct flights from Kolkata and Chennai. This marks the airline’s 15th international destination and reflects its ongoing expansion plans. The airline, owned by the Tata Group, is in the process of being merged with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and has added more than 75 aircraft to its fleet in preparation for the merger. The expansion of operations to Bangladesh is part of the airline’s strategy to increase its presence in international markets.
Jordan Tourism Board MD shared the country’s tourism vision for 2025 during a visit to India, highlighting the importance of the Indian market for Jordan’s tourism sector. The vision focuses on attracting MICE tourism, destination weddings, luxury tourism, adventure tourism, and film tourism to position Jordan as a global destination. Streamlining the visa process for Indian travelers and the upcoming launch of direct flights between India and Jordan by Royal Jordanian Airlines are part of the efforts to enhance connectivity and attract more tourists from India.
AirAsia Thailand has announced plans to enhance flights between India and Thailand, with direct flights between Phuket and Chennai and Kolkata starting in October. The increased connectivity comes in response to a surge in travel from India to Thailand following a visa waiver for Indian travelers. The airline will operate three weekly flights between Phuket and Chennai and daily flights between Kolkata and Phuket. This expansion reflects the growing demand for travel between the two countries and aims to provide more convenient options for Indian tourists visiting Thailand.
