Goa is focusing on sports tourism as a way to promote sustainable tourism in the state. The Goa tourism department has partnered with the organizers of the Ironman 70.3 India race to promote sports tourism and position Goa as a premier destination for sports. The race, which is a triathlon held in various locations worldwide, has been hosted in Goa since 2019, attracting triathletes from India and over 50 other countries. Additionally, Goa has been hosting other sporting events like table tennis and national games to further boost its image as a sports tourism destination.
In a move to streamline air traffic management in the country, India is planning to consolidate its four flight information regions into one continuous airspace controlled from Nagpur, Maharashtra. This unified Air Traffic Management system aims to enhance safety measures, minimize flight separations, reduce carbon emissions, and create more fuel-efficient flight routes. The Airports Authority of India is working on understanding the technology requirements for such a harmonized system, which would have potential benefits for the aviation industry in India.
Indian e-commerce platform Flipkart has expanded its travel offerings on its mobile app by launching bus booking services. Customers can now book buses through Flipkart, in addition to flights, hotels, and holiday packages. The company has partnered with private bus operators and state transport corporations to facilitate this new service and has stated that its reward points, Supercoins, can also be used for bus bookings. Flipkart’s expansion into the travel segment began in 2018, and it has since added flights, hotels, and holiday packages to its offerings.
Air India has signed an agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited to develop the airport as an aviation hub in southern India. Over the next five years, the two entities will work together to enhance international connectivity, operational efficiency, and the passenger experience at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. As part of the agreement, Air India will increase its presence at the airport, and a dedicated domestic lounge will be established for premium and frequent travelers of Tata Group airlines Air India and Vistara.
Hilton has signed a 140-key hotel in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, marking its flagship hotel brand’s entry into the state capital. The Hilton Lucknow is set to open in the first quarter of 2025, contributing to the company’s pipeline of 19 hotels in India. Under the leadership of India country head Zubin Saxena, Hilton is looking to expand its portfolio from 26 currently operating properties to 75 trading and pipeline hotels in the coming years, with plans to open a new hotel every two to three months.
RedRail by redBus has introduced two new features for customers booking train tickets on the platform. The ‘seat guarantee’ feature allows passengers to opt for a refund if their ticket is not confirmed, providing peace of mind for travelers. The ‘connecting trains’ feature suggests alternative train options for passengers when direct trains are fully booked or waitlisted, increasing the chances of finding confirmed seats for the journey. These new features are intended to improve the booking experience for train travelers using the RedRail app.
