The post Agoda teams up with ONYX Hospitality Group appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Southeast Asian hotel management firm ONYX Hospitality Group is now the latest to sign up for Agoda’s unique Flagship Store Initiative.

The partnership was announced on Friday, 17th October, whilst both companies were participating at ITB Asia 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

The initiative gives hotel groups enhanced brand visibility and exclusive marketing opportunities while offering travelers a dedicated digital storefront to discover and book ONYX’s hotels. 

Through this collaboration, ONYX Hospitality gains a visibility boost via exclusive entry points on Agoda’s platform, access to extensive global marketing channels, exclusive promotional opportunities, and detailed performance insights. 

For travellers, the Flagship Store makes it easier to explore ONYX Hospitality’s properties and enjoy the best available deals when booking with Agoda.

Making the most out of a multi-channel marketing solution

Agoda’s Flagship Store Initiative is a multi-channel marketing solution that enables hotel brands to create and showcase their story, build customer loyalty and support revenue growth. 

Unlike standard listings, the Flagship Store brings together a partner’s entire portfolio into one curated hub. 

As a result, Bangkok-based ONYX Hospitality Group now has its Amari, OZO, and Shama brands featured in its very own curated Flagship Store.

Agoda vice-president of supply Romain Christodoulou remarked: “The Flagship Store offering forms an important part of Agoda’s commitment to help our hotel partners stand out in a competitive market and connect more effectively with global travelers. We are excited to have ONYX Hospitality onboard, a trusted partner that shares our commitment to digital innovation and delivering excellent experiences for travellers as they book with confidence and convenience.”

Likewise, ONYX Hospitality’s vice-president for commercial Bharath Satyavolu declared: “We are excited to collaborate with Agoda, whose advanced technology and strong marketing capabilities make them the ideal partner to showcase our properties in a dedicated and engaging way. This initiative supports our commitment to combining exceptional hospitality with the latest digital solutions.”

New ways to engage with target markets

The launch of the ONYX Flagship Store represents one of the first partners on Agoda’s broader Flagship Store offering, designed to provide leading hotel groups with new ways to promote their brands and engage customers. 

As such, it highlights hoteliers’ brand identity with customized visuals, exclusive promotional placements, and tailored marketing support. 

Hospitality groups and hoteliers that have already utilized the platform include Accor Thailand. 

On the other hand, travellers get to have an experience that feels closer to booking directly with the hotel brand, while still accessing Agoda’s global deals, customer service, and loyalty benefits.

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The post METT Singapore opens with 84 keys in the heart of Singapore at Fort Canning Park appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Sunset Hospitality Group proudly announces the opening of METT Singapore (the brand’s flagship property in Asia Pacific and one of the year’s most anticipated hotel debuts. Nestled within the lush, historic grounds of Fort Canning Park, METT Singapore introduces Sunset’s signature mix of style, warmth and culinary flair to create a destination where heritage meets high energy, social connections are celebrated, and next generation wellness is embraced.

Joining METT’s roster in Marbella, Bodrum and Barcelona, the Singapore debut marks Sunset Hospitality Group’s bold expansion into Asia Pacific and lays the foundation for future openings across the region.

“METT Singapore marks a pivotal milestone for us. Fort Canning’s history and natural beauty and central location provide the perfect canvas for the METT spirit – a place that is warm, energetic, and soulful, where both locals and travelers can gather, celebrate, and socialize,” said Antonio Gonzalez, Chairman and Group CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group. “This project is more than a refurbishment — it’s a tribute to the past, a celebration of lifestyle hospitality with a Singaporean soul.”

A Cultural Icon Reimagined for a New Era

METT Singapore Junior Suite

Blending colonial charm with contemporary soul, METT Singapore pays homage to Fort Canning’s storied past, from its roots as royal grounds and Singapore’s first botanical garden, to the property’s role as a cultural landmark dating back to 1926. Today the park is Singapore’s home to nature, culture and history, offering guests instant access to museums, live events, outdoor fitness and playgrounds for little ones. With every detail designed to inspire meaningful moments, METT Singapore injects a spirit of relaxed modern luxury and magnetic energy to frame a new way of living.

Located in the heart of the city and surrounded by the rich greenery of the park, the heritage-listed property has been transformed through a contemporary lens. The 84 light-filled suites and rooms offer the luxury of space with high ceilings, ranging in size from 375 square feet up to the 1,725-square-foot Fort Canning Suite. With sweeping views of lush parkland or the city skyline and reimagined by acclaimed designer Jeffrey Wilkes, the rooms and lobby present a destination where elegant simplicity meets refined living. Guests flow effortlessly from a sunrise padel match or spa ritual to sun-drenched hours by the pool, to evenings of inspired dining and buzzing conversation.

Bringing People Together 

At the heart of the METT Singapore experience is dining as a social ritual; moments shared around the table that bring people together. Guided by Director of Culinary and F&B, Chef Daniele Sperindio, the property introduces four distinctive concepts that place METT firmly on the city’s culinary and social map.

The journey begins with the opening of L’Amo Bistrò del Mare, an ode to premium Italian coastal dining, and the lively Canning Bar & Lounge, where specialty coffee, cocktails, and connections come alive. Soon after, Sperindio’s acclaimed Art di Daniele Sperindio will find its new home at METT, followed by HANU, a vibrant and glamorous interpretation of the traditional Korean grill.

“Fort Canning is green, layered, and alive — a rare urban escape that fuels creativity. It’s a privilege to bring my vision to such a historic landmark and shape its culinary identity,” says Sperindio.

Together, these dining destinations embody METT’s belief that life’s best moments come about when excellent food, company and energy effortlessly come together, establishing the property as one of Singapore’s most compelling new social addresses.

The METT Way of Life

Beyond gastronomy, METT Singapore is the city’s ultimate destination for play, connection, and living well. The definitive place to celebrate life, host anything from intimate soirées to show-stopping galas in spaces that include a grand ballroom for up to 800 guests.

Soak up the sun with two sparkling outdoor pools, get active and energized on the padel and pickleball courts or at the fully equipped luxury gym fitted with state-of-the-art Technogym strength, cardio and functional equipment. Boutique studio classes will offer Reformer Pilates, Aerial Yoga, HIIT, TRX and Barrecore, with top-tier instructors at the helm. Refined private changing rooms, complete with a cold plunge, sauna and steam, serve as sanctuaries for both peak performance and mindful recovery.

Step into Madison House, an upcoming new private members’ club dedicated to social vitality and lifestyle living exclusively available to members. Launching in Q4 2025, the club will be home to The Longevity Suite, a cutting-edge wellness haven where biohacking meets holistic indulgence. With 35 locations across Europe, The Longevity Suite will be making its regional debut within the Madison House club, offering cryotherapy, science-driven spa and aesthetic treatments and proven biohacking and longevity protocols, all delivered by specialists at the forefront of their field.

Launching in Q1 2026, METT Singapore will offer bespoke Longevity Suite transformative and rejuvenating retreats. Designed to meet the unique demands of each guest’s mind and body, the tailored integrative protocols will range in duration from two to seven day stays with curated programmes including sleep, advanced rejuvenation and mind and body detox.

The Luxury of Living Well at METT

“METT Singapore is for the modern traveler who wants everything at their fingertips, health and wellness, social connection and good times with the city and nature at their doorstep. We are creating more than a hotel, we’re offering a state of mind – a destination where dining, wellness, and culture come alive in the heart of one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.” said Marcel Li, General Manager, METT Singapore.

METT Singapore sets a new standard for lifestyle hospitality, where wellness, vibrant social energy and exceptional dining converge in thoughtfully designed spaces. Every moment has been crafted to delight the senses, spark connection, and create memorable experiences, defining a fresh, sophisticated way to live, gather, and celebrate in the city.

METT Singapore will open in phases from Oct. 28th. Rooms start at SGD 625 including tax & service.

“Singapore, We Finally METT” Opening Offer

To mark its opening, METT Singapore presents “Singapore, We Finally METT,” an exclusive two-night package starting from SGD 998++. Guests will enjoy daily breakfast, a sidecar tour, Battlebox tickets, cocktails, welcome amenities, and an exclusive farewell gift, with one-way limousine transfers for Premier Suites. Book by Nov. 30, 2025 for stays from Nov. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026 (Blackout: Dec. 29, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026).

 

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The post e-Visas for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines set to commence in November 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomes the launch of the electronic visas (e-Visas) for Chinese nationals, set to commence in November 2025. “The suspension of the e-Visa system in 2023 had a significant and measurable impact on our ability to meet tourism targets, particularly from one of our strongest pre-pandemic markets. We had long anticipated this outcome and its lasting impact on international arrivals, which is why the Department of Tourism has consistently advocated for the reinstatement of the e-Visa system since its suspension,” Secretary Frasco said.

“This development is therefore both necessary and overdue. The relaunch of the e-Visa system directly responds to persistent market demand and industry feedback, and addresses a gap that has constrained our regional competitiveness for nearly three years. We extend our appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for acting on this long-standing call,” she added.

Frasco highlighted the initiative’s potential to streamline and enhance the travel experience, making it more accessible to visitors. However, given the timing of its implementation, the Department remains cautious in predicting a significant increase in tourist arrivals before the year’s end.

“While we do not expect immediate surges in arrivals given the timing of implementation and broader external factors, this policy milestone provides a strong signal to the market that the Philippines is taking steps to improve accessibility. It restores confidence, not only among travelers but also among our tourism stakeholders who depend on timely and enabling government action,” the DOT chief said.

The DOT has consistently advocated for the e-Visa system, acknowledging that its suspension in 2023 severely impacted tourism targets.

“The Department of Tourism remains focused on ensuring that reforms translate into real results for our destinations, stakeholders, and tourism workers on the ground. We will continue to work closely with our partners across government and the private sector to align policies with the needs of the market and the aspirations of the Filipino people,” she added.

Historically, China has been a key source of inbound visitors to the Philippines. Prior to the pandemic, China ranked among the leading sources of international arrivals. The removal of the e-Visa system in 2023 further exacerbated the decline in arrivals initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a significant drop in Chinese visitors, with recovery still underway.

As of September 2025, the Philippines has welcomed 203,923 Chinese visitors.

The DOT continues to collaborate with partners across public and private sectors to ensure that infrastructure and digital platforms are equipped to accommodate future visitors. Additionally, government initiatives, supported by the DOT, include the launch of a digital nomad visa and the implementation of a VAT refund law for visiting tourists, both designed to enhance the country’s attractiveness.

 

 

 

 

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The post ATIA Launches Committee to Champion Independent Agents appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has launched the Committee of Independent Travel Agents and Advisors (CTA) at Beyond Borders 2025 in Brisbane, reinforcing its commitment to give every member segment a clear voice in national industry leadership.

This work began with the announcement at Beyond Borders 2024 that each ATIA Director would assume dedicated responsibility for a member segment, ensuring every part of the industry had a voice at Board level.

Over the past 12 months, ATIA has expanded that commitment, first through its partnership with the Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC) to support corporate travel agents, and now through the creation of CTA to represent independent agents.

CTA provides a structured framework for independent agents to advise on, and be advised of, ATIA’s ongoing policy, advocacy, and industry initiatives creating space for members to identify priorities, drive the agenda, and address the unique challenges facing their businesses.

Expressions of interest will be sought from ATIA members who wish to participate in CTA, with the inaugural committee to be established in late 2025. Independent agents interested in shaping the committee’s early priorities will be invited to register their interest via the ATIA website.

Together, these initiatives reinforce ATIA’s strategic focus on ensuring every member segment covering our independent, retail, corporate, tour operator, and wholesaler members has a meaningful role in shaping the future of Australia’s travel industry.

Christian Hunter, ATIA CHAIR said: “The launch of CTA is the result of almost a year’s work to strengthen segment-specific representation within ATIA. It’s a deliberate and strategic step forward and another milestone in our plan to give every member segment a clear voice in national decision-making.”

“This framework is part of the long-term approach we set out at Beyond Borders 2024, first with dedicated Board responsibilities for each member segment, then the partnership with ATMC for corporate agents, and now CTA for independents.”

“Independent agents have always been a vital part of ATIA. With CTA, they now have a formal seat at the table, shaping the agenda, influencing outcomes, and staying connected to the advocacy and policy work that drives their businesses forward.”

 

 

 

 

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The post Inaugural Singapore Hospitality & Tourism Conference 2025 offers diverse career pathways for future talent appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The inaugural Singapore Hospitality & Tourism Conference (SHTC) 2025 takes place in conjunction with ITB Asia. Offering close to 700 immediate opportunities across more than 20 leading companies in tourism, SHTC is a promising indication of the diverse career pathways and expanding opportunities for the next generation of tourism professionals, as the tourism sector continues to grow and evolve.

These extensive job opportunities reflect the tourism sector’s strength, supported by strong employment trends. Between June 2023 and June 2025, Singapore’s total tourism workforce grew by more than 8% from 69,000 to 75,0001 demonstrating the healthy tourism performance and employment opportunities it continues to generate. The sector is actively hiring, with over 5,000 job postings covering around 6,700 vacancies available in the second quarter of 2025 on Workforce Singapore’s MyCareersFuture portal.

This positive trajectory is set to accelerate further, with over 1,500 new hotel rooms expected to open by the end of 2026, including upcoming hotel openings such as Mama Shelter, Hotel Waterloo Singapore – Handwritten Collection and Varel Singapore. This expansion will create more job opportunities and career advancement prospects for aspiring jobseekers.

“As we advance our Tourism 2040 strategy, a roadmap for the next decade of Singapore’s tourism growth, it is vital that we develop a future-ready sector by driving transformation, building capabilities and creating quality employment opportunities. This means aspiring tourism professionals need evolved skill sets, including digital and AI literacy and sustainability expertise. To meet this demand, our Institutes of Higher Learning are continually improving their curriculum to align with changing traveller preferences and the evolving global tourism landscape, ensuring students are equipped with relevant skills to support the sector,” said Rachel Loh, Executive Director, Hospitality & Tourism Talent, Singapore Tourism Board.

The SHTC 2025 aims to inspire students and graduates to explore rewarding career pathways in tourism. The event features an on-site career fair with over 20 exhibitors from various tourism-related industries, such as Hotels, Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), Attractions, Tours and Travel and Integrated Resorts, featuring a wide range of opportunities including internships, mentorships, scholarships and job placements. In addition, the conference features innovation for real-life tourism applications. In the lead up to SHTC 2025, about 50 students participated in a student hackathon in August to develop innovative solutions and concepts that can enhance the tourism sector through technology.

Supported by masterclass sessions and mentoring by Marina Bay Sands, the hackathon will conclude at SHTC where the winning idea will be announced. This provides students with a transformative, real-world learning journey in tourism and hospitality. “As Singapore’s tourism sector continues to expand, hospitality & tourism programmes offered by educational institutions have been reimagined to address the evolving needs of the industry. Students now benefit from multiple pathways to nurture their aspirations, including early immersion initiatives such as the Talent Advancement Programme and Work-Integrated Learning, complemented by industry-curated projects and overseas internships that offer practical insights and global exposure. In addition, we collaborate closely with industry

partners to develop Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes tailored for the existing workforce, ensuring our curriculum remains aligned with current and emerging trends.

The sustained increase in enrolment underscores the positive interest in the sector and the expanding opportunities it presents. These programmes play a critical role in cultivating a skilled workforce to support the future growth of Singapore’s tourism sector,” said Fu Chuan Chong, Director, School of Hospitality, Republic Polytechnic, and Co-Chair, Tourism, Hotel Operations & Management Sector Coordination Team.

Emphasising the human element behind these industry developments and educational initiatives, Tan Siew Kim, Director, School of Business, Temasek Polytechnic and Co-Chair, Tourism, Hotel Operations & Management Sector Coordination Team said, “As tourism continues to grow and evolve, there is an opportunity to attract more talent not just by creating more programmes but by igniting passion. Tourism offers many career pathways; and we can

help students find their footing in this sector. Our mission is to align that genuine passion with the evolving needs of the sector, creating a career that is as fulfilling as it is sustainable. This is how we should be reimagining the future of hospitality and tourism, where passion meets purpose.”

The inaugural SHTC 2025 evolves from the annual Tourism Transformation event, building on five successful editions led by the Tourism Sector Coordinator Team, comprising six Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). Now rebranded and enhanced, this iteration2 with new partners including Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) aims to deliver a more comprehensive programme and job opportunities for students, signaling a strong commitment to build  Singapore’s talent pipeline for the hospitality and tourism sector.

 

 

 

 

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The post Luxperia Introduces ‘HerStory’: Journeys Honouring Women Across Asia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Luxperia  unveils HerStory at ILTM Americas 2025: A curated collection of private travel  experiences celebrating the resilience and creativity of women across Asia. These intimate journeys  highlight the artistry, traditions, and leadership of women who safeguard heritage while shaping Asia’s  future.

Guests will visit weaving cooperatives, textile museums, women-led communities, social enterprises,  and learn about heroic women in history. Immersing in authentic stories shared directly by female  artisans, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.

“HerStory is our love letter to the women who inspire us daily: our mothers, sisters, colleagues, and  friends,” says Linh Le, Principal of Luxperia. “Through these experiences, travellers connect deeply with  local communities while supporting sustainable livelihoods and cultural preservation.”

Each journey is privately run, ensuring meaningful and personal encounters and connections. Discover HerStory here.
Book through your preferred Luxperia Travel Advisor/Agent Ambassador.

 

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The post IndiGo partners with Digi Yatra to Simplify Travel Experience appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, and Digi Yatra, a cutting-edge Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) based ecosystem utilizing face biometric technology for contactless and seamless passenger processing at airports, have completed an app-to-app integration enabling seamless sharing of boarding passes between their respective mobile applications. Digi Yatra, committed to offer seamless, contactless, and secure travel experience to passengers, supports biometric-enabled travel, ensuring data privacy, regulatory compliance, and enhanced passenger experience by digitalizing the entire check-in and boarding process.

With this partnership, IndiGo flyers can now share their boarding pass directly with the Digi Yatra app by simply clicking “Share with Digi Yatra” in the IndiGo app after completing their web check-in which will now eliminate the need to manually scan the QR code on their physical boarding pass or upload them digitally. This often led to additional steps and delays for travelers. The process is designed to ensure that user consent is obtained at every step, and only necessary details are shared with Digi Yatra airport verifiers. This automated, secure process between applications helps maintain the highest standards of integrity and authenticity for the boarding pass. Importantly, it follows privacy by design tenets as the entire transaction takes place offline on the phone through deep linking, with no server or cloud involvement.

Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, said: “Our mission is to transform air travel into a seamless, secure, and paperless experience for every passenger. This collaboration with IndiGo marks a significant milestone in that journey. By integrating our technology directly with IndiGo’s app, we are enabling travelers to enjoy faster check-ins, smoother boarding, and enhanced convenience. As more airlines and airports embrace our ecosystem, we will continue to innovate and support India’s vision for digital transformation in travel”.

Neetan Chopra, Chief Information and Digital Officer, IndiGo said: “Every year, we fly millions of customers who trust us for our promise of safe, on-time, and hassle-free travel experience. This partnership with Digi Yatra takes our commitment to customer convenience a step further by enabling a smooth, contactless boarding journey. We are thrilled to be amongst the first airlines to adopt this technology and remain focused on leveraging innovation to make air travel simpler, faster, and more enjoyable for everyone.”

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to providing seamless airport journeys and highlights the growing confidence in Digi Yatra’s secure ecosystem as leading platforms continue to embrace its technology to enhance passenger convenience.

 

 

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The post Air India Express celebrates with a Diwali Special ‘Gourmair’ Meal appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Bringing festive cheer on board this Diwali, Air India Express, India’s first international value carrier, invites travellers to celebrate the festival of lights with a feast that shines just as bright. The airline has introduced a limited-edition Diwali Special ‘Gourmair’ Meal, a festive spread that adds indulgence and warmth at 36,000 ft. Guests can pre-book the Diwali Special Meal for ₹500 via the airline’s award-winning website, airindiaexpress.com, mobile app, and through travel agents up to 12 hours before domestic and 18 hours before international flights.

Diwali is a time for family, feasting, and festivity, bringing people together and is a peak travel period across the country. Extending the spirit of festivity and meaningful connections on board, Air India Express is serving Diwali Special ‘Gourmair’ Meals on all domestic and international flights from 20^th to 30^th October 2025. The festive spread features a rich ensemble of Shahi Paneer, Dal Makhani, Jeera Rice, Laccha Paratha, Paneer Kachori, Dal Samosa, and Gulab Jamun.

Celebrating India’s diverse culture and festivals, the airline has been delighting guests through thoughtfully crafted festive meals such as the traditional Onam Sadya and a Sattvik Meal for Navratri.

Air India Express’ in-flight ‘Gourmair’ dining menu brings together the best of regional and global hot meals, lite bites, innovative desserts. The airline has also introduced a chocolate ‘Celebration Cake’ which can be pre-booked to sweeten celebrations in the sky.

The airline recently launched it’s brand campaign, ‘Xplore More Xpress More’ celebrating the transformative power of travel and encouraging travellers to discover new destinations, embrace local cultures, and build meaningful connections.

The airline also celebrates India’s rich culture and heritage through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, featuring more than 50 indigenous art forms from across India on the airline’s aircraft liveries such as Ajrakh, Banarasi, Paisley, and Toda.

 

 

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The post Affordable Travel Outpaces Luxury This Festive Season: Thrillophilia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

India’s festive travel season is in full swing, and this year, travellers are clearly choosing “smart luxury” over indulgent splurges. According to Thrillophilia, India’s leading AI-powered travel and experiences platform, affordable leisure stays priced between ₹2,000–₹6,000 per night have surged by 22% year-on-year, now accounting for 48% of all bookings. This marks a clear shift from high-end vacations to value-driven, experience-rich escapes, a trend catalysed by the GST 2.0 rollout and a buoyant festive season.

Thrillophilia’s data shows that short breaks and weekend getaways are driving the season, with two to three-night trips making up 58% of all stays, up six percentage points from last year. The average trip duration stands at 2.6 nights, suggesting that travellers are taking more frequent, shorter trips rather than longer holidays. Booking behaviour has also evolved, with the average booking window now at 21 days, three days earlier than last year reflecting a more planned, confident travel mindset.

“India’s new default is smart luxury, with savings on the bed, splurge on the day.. With travel feeling slightly more affordable, people are more open to taking that extra trip or upgrading their stay. This is a healthy sign for both travellers and hospitality operators in emerging leisure destinations.” said Abhishek Daga, Co-Founder, Thrillophilia.

Interestingly, travellers are also becoming smarter about how they spend. Air travel trends show a 21% rise in the use of miles and upgrade vouchers, while premium-cabin share has dipped by 2.8 percentage points compared to Diwali 2024. Rather than splurging on business class or five-star hotels, people are choosing boutique stays and redirecting their savings toward premium day experiences. Trekking bookings are up by 27%, local sightseeing by 24%, and cultural and culinary activities by 22%, with the average activity basket now at ₹3,600. The result: a redefined idea of luxury one that’s rooted in experiences rather than excess.

At the city level, Jaipur has emerged as India’s most vibrant affordable-stay market, with stays in the ₹2,000–₹6,000 band up 26% year-on-year. Lucknow leads in family short-breaks, where two to three-night trips now make up 59% of all stays, a seven-point jump from last year. Bhopal has recorded the highest weekend occupancy at 81%, while Hyderabad is India’s top early-planning market, with the average booking window stretching to 24 days compared to 19 last year. In the east, Bhubaneswar tops activity-led growth with adventure and cultural bookings up 31% year-on-year, averaging ₹3,200 per trip. Chennai has seen the largest increase in miles and voucher usage (+23% YoY), while Kolkata dominates short-trip bookings, with 61% of stays lasting two to three nights. Patna shows the fastest festive booking velocity Diwali-week inventory sold out three days earlier than last year while Panaji leads the boutique-stay trend, where boutique and homestay properties now account for 54% of all nights booked.

Across all categories, the average spend on domestic trips ranges between ₹25,000–₹45,000, while short-haul international holidays average between ₹60,000–₹95,000. Travellers are not necessarily cutting back; they’re simply redistributing their budgets, spending less on rooms and more on meaningful experiences. This “smart luxury” mindset, driven by tax savings and a refreshed sense of affordability, is shaping a new phase of travel growth in India.

With over 5,000 partners across 200 destinations, Thrillophilia continues to lead the shift toward experience-first, tech-enabled travel. As festive demand peaks, the platform’s data highlights a clear consumer sentiment: Indians are travelling more, planning better, and making every trip count one smart weekend at a time.

 

 

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The post Bowerman: Knowing travellers better is the key to succeeding in today’s industry  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

High Yield Tourism co-founder Gary Bowerman addressed delegates earlier today, 17th October, with a C-suite talk at ITB Asia 2025.

Touching on the theme Untethered Adventures: Mapping the Landscape of Independent Travel, Bowerman declared that independent travel is the future, particularly within the Asia Pacific.

He said: “We talk about travel and tourism as though it’s an eco-bubble; as though travel and tourism exists in its own sense of being. But it’s not: it’s part of a lifestyle economy, and we have become a very disintermediated lifestyle economy.”

A fragmented industry

According to Bowerman, fragmentation is probably the most important word in travel in Asia at the moment.

He explained that markets are fragmented, and that every market is splintering.

He said: “People’s expectations about travel have changed, not just because of the pandemic, but because travel and tourism are now integrated into the way people view their lifestyles.”

FITs take the floor

This ideological shift has helped spur on the rise of free and independent travellers (FITs).

Indeed, the global travel sector is seeing more travellers going off on more immersive experiential journeys rather than sticking to rigid group itineraries that only allow glimpses of key attractions.

Bowerman remarked: “The biggest growth and the most important changes in key travel markets are coming in the independent sector. Young people, older people, middle aged people who want to travel their way.

Consider knowing your customers better

As Bowerman puts it, there is no one-size-fits-all independent traveler.

In which case, he opines that travel professionals need to take time to know their clientele.

He asked: “So: who are today’s independent travelers? What adventures are they seeking? What are their hidden travel agendas?”

These questions are but the tip of the proverbial iceberg, especially because trave lprofessionals made a lot of erroneous assumptions over time about travellers and their individual preferences.

Indeed, a lot of assumptions have been made about everything from payment methods to government policies in home nations.

For Bowerman, relying on outdated assumptions stands to do travel and hospitality businesses more harm than good; actually sitting down to know customers better is, thus, the way of the future.

He said of businesses slow to make the switch: “They don’t know the way people travel, consume, and live day to day. If you don’t know that, in the modern world, in this fragmented, disintermediated world, you don’t know enough about your travellers.”

Indeed, given how the travel market keeps splintering into smaller and more specific niche interests, knowing exactly what each traveller wants from their journeys is bound to make all the difference in the future.

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