Travel

EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel aggregators, has embarked on an aggressive expansion strategy by acquiring stakes in five diverse companies spanning travel, hospitality, and technology. The move underscores the company’s ambition to build a broader travel ecosystem, enhance service offerings, and secure a stronger foothold across related verticals. With these strategic investments, EaseMyTrip aims to diversify revenue streams, deepen customer engagement, and position itself as a comprehensive travel solutions provider in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

In a strategic move to capture growing demand for international travel, Thomas Cook India and its group company SOTC Travel have expanded their range of holiday packages to China, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s tourism potential. The expansion includes curated itineraries covering key destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chengdu, aimed at both leisure and experiential travelers. This move comes as travel interest in East Asia rises sharply following the reopening of borders and the easing of visa procedures.

Goa’s tourism industry has recorded a 6% increase in total arrivals this year, driven by a steady rise in both domestic and international visitors. The rebound in global travel, coupled with enhanced infrastructure, diverse hospitality offerings, and the state’s renewed marketing focus, has strengthened Goa’s position as India’s premier leisure destination. International tourist inflows—particularly from Europe and Russia—have shown a notable recovery, signaling improved confidence in post-pandemic travel.

IntrCity SmartBus, a tech-driven intercity mobility platform, has raised Rs. 250 crore in a fresh funding round led by existing investors. The capital infusion will strengthen the company’s position in India’s fast-growing shared mobility space, supporting fleet expansion, technology enhancement, and deeper penetration across new travel corridors.

Global fintech company Wise has announced the launch of its travel card in India, aimed at providing seamless, cost-effective foreign currency access for travelers and expatriates. The card enables multi-currency transactions with competitive exchange rates, low fees, and real-time tracking, positioning it as an attractive alternative to traditional travel cards and bank-issued credit/debit cards. Analysts highlight that the introduction aligns with India’s growing digital payments ecosystem and rising international travel trends.

As Diwali approaches, India’s travel and hospitality sectors are witnessing a sharp surge in demand, with hotels, buses, and airlines reporting near-capacity bookings. Rising consumer confidence, increased disposable income, and the festival’s traditional travel patterns are fueling the spike. Hospitality operators are optimizing rates and availability, while bus operators and airlines are expanding services to meet the seasonal demand. Analysts note that this travel surge reflects both pent-up demand from the past year and the growing trend of premiumized festive travel.

Delhi Airport has launched an electronic arrival (e-arrival) card system for foreign visitors, aiming to streamline immigration procedures and enhance operational efficiency. The initiative allows international travellers to submit mandatory arrival information online before reaching the airport, reducing manual paperwork and waiting times at immigration counters. Officials highlight that the digital platform will improve data accuracy, facilitate faster processing, and strengthen security protocols.

IndiGo Airlines and SBI Card have launched a co-branded credit card designed to enhance travel benefits for frequent flyers. Available in two variants—the IndiGo SBI Card and IndiGo SBI Card ELITE—the offering integrates with IndiGo’s BluChip loyalty program, allowing cardholders to earn and redeem points on flights, hotel bookings, and other partner services. The card provides additional perks such as domestic airport lounge access, milestone rewards, and fuel surcharge waivers.

India’s domestic pilgrimage travel sector witnessed a strong rebound in FY25, with trips growing 19% year-on-year, according to data released by MakeMyTrip. The surge reflects pent-up demand for religious and spiritual tourism following the easing of travel restrictions, coupled with increasing disposable incomes and digital access to booking platforms. Key pilgrimage destinations, from Varanasi and Tirupati to Amritsar and Shirdi, reported higher footfalls.

Popular South Indian actor Navya Nair has been fined more than Rs. 1 lakh by Australian authorities after being found in violation of that country’s strict biosecurity regulations. The incident arose when she reportedly carried jasmine flowers, a common cultural item in India, without declaring them at customs. Australia enforces stringent rules to prevent the entry of non-native plants and biological material, aiming to protect its agriculture and ecosystem.