Author: Travel and Tourism Desk

Marking its third consecutive year at SATTE 2026, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is highlighting the island nation’s strong tourism momentum and its strategic engagement with the Indian market. The board is placing a special emphasis on Jamaica’s world-renowned romance and wedding tourism offerings, aiming to attract Indian travellers seeking unique luxury experiences. Jamaica’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate robust growth, recording over three million visitor arrivals by the end of 2025 and into early 2026. This reflects sustained global demand, renewed traveller confidence, and the destination’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most resilient and sought-after holiday spots. Key…

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International’s global portfolio under Marriott Bonvoy, has announced the opening of Le Méridien Dehradun Resort & Spa. Located along the tranquil Nun River and framed by the foothills of the Himalayas, the resort marks the brand’s entry into Dehradun, a growing leisure destination and gateway to North India’s most visited hill and spiritual towns. Set in the serene Doon Valley, the resort invites travellers to slow down and savour a more relaxed rhythm. Dehradun is known for its scenic landscapes, pleasant climate and easy access to nearby destinations such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh…

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has received the Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The ceremony was held at the Safari Park Hotel on February 17, 2026. The award recognises Minister Bartlett’s long-standing work in strengthening tourism resilience across the world. Over the years, he has played a key role in developing global frameworks that help countries prepare for and recover from crises. His efforts have focused on making tourism more sustainable, stable and better prepared for unexpected disruptions. Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic…

By: Ananth Venkatesh I visited The Partition Museum in Amritsar on a quiet afternoon, just a short walk from Jallianwala Bagh. The museum is located about five minutes away on foot, along a stretch that feels like a Heritage Street. The walk itself prepares you for reflection. It slows you down. The museum opened in 2017. It stands as one of the world’s first museums dedicated entirely to the Partition of India in 1947. That fact alone gives it weight. This is not just a regional archive. It is a national memory space. Inside, the historical journey begins in the…

By: Ananth Venkatesh The Taj Mahal has long lived in my imagination as an icon of architectural grace, and when I finally walked through its grand entrance, it did not disappoint. Completed in 1653 under the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the monument rises with quiet authority, its white marble glowing softly under the daylight. Recognised globally for its cultural significance, the Taj Mahal was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1983. The symmetry, the intricate inlay work and the sheer balance of the structure make it clear why it remains one of the most admired landmarks in the world. The…

Mumbai is known for its traffic, its speed and its endless energy. But now, one stretch of the city offers something unexpected. As vehicles move at a steady speed on a section of the Mumbai Coastal Road, a familiar tune begins to play beneath the tyres. The melody is “Jai Ho”. And the choice of this song says a lot about the city itself. India’s first musical road has been introduced on the Mumbai Coastal Road project. The music is not played through speakers. Instead, engineers have created carefully measured grooves on the road surface. When cars drive over these…

Marriott International’s Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region delivered another stellar year of growth in 2025, marking its third consecutive year of record-breaking development. The region signed 187 new deals, adding over 28,000 rooms to its development pipeline, reflecting strong intra-regional travel demand and continued confidence from hotel owners and developers. “2025 underscores the strength of Marriott’s growth engine across the region,” said Rajeev Menon, President, APEC, Marriott International. “Sustained travel demand and a diversified portfolio have enabled us to scale across markets and segments while creating compelling experiences for today’s travelers.” Conversions and multi-unit agreements were key drivers of…

By: Ananth Venkatesh Walking into the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum in New Delhi was an experience that combined history, reverence, and reflection. From the moment I entered the premises, I was struck by how clean and well-maintained the museum was. The landscaping was immaculate, with neatly trimmed lawns and well-manicured pathways that made the entire visit feel peaceful and contemplative. The museum is housed in the very building where Indira Gandhi lived for many years, including during her tenure as Prime Minister. As I walked through the rooms, I could sense the weight of history. The living room, study, dining…

By: Ananth Venkatesh Travelling along the Yamuna Expressway is an experience that stands out among India’s roads. Conceptualised in the early 2000s and inaugurated in August 2012, the expressway was designed to connect Greater Noida with Agra, providing a modern alternative to the older, congested routes. As I set off on the journey, I immediately noticed the exceptional quality of the surface. The lanes were smooth and wide, free from potholes and uneven patches that often mar the driving experience elsewhere. The absence of any hawkers or roadside distractions made the drive not only safer but also genuinely enjoyable. Unlike…

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has introduced its E-Pantry service on 25 Mail and Express trains, marking a new experiment in digital catering for non-premium rail services. The initiative allows passengers to pre-book meals online and have them delivered directly to their seats during the journey. While digital food delivery is common in urban India, bringing that predictability to long-distance trains represents a significant shift. However, this rollout is still a pilot project. The larger question now is whether it can expand nationwide and permanently alter the way Indians experience train travel. E-Pantry is integrated into the IRCTC…