Author: Travel and Tourism Desk

Turkish Airlines has reported a $2.2 billion profit from main operations in 2025, highlighting the resilience of its business model and long-term growth strategy despite global aviation challenges. The airline posted total revenues of $24.1 billion for the full year, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase, supported primarily by strong passenger demand across international and premium travel segments. In the fourth quarter alone, revenues rose 12% to $6.3 billion, while profit from main operations increased 23% year-on-year to $534 million. Operational performance also remained strong in terms of capacity and scale. By the end of 2025, the airline expanded its fleet…

As the world prepares to observe World Sleep Day on March 13, 2026, Westin Hotels & Resorts is placing renewed focus on rest and wellness across its properties in the Asia Pacific region. The brand, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, is reinforcing its long-standing philosophy that quality sleep plays a vital role in health, travel recovery, and overall well-being. For more than a decade, Westin has built its hospitality experience around three core pillars of wellness: Sleep Well, Eat Well, and Move Well. At the centre of the brand’s sleep philosophy is the…

As World Sleep Day approaches on March 13, Westin Hotels & Resorts is reaffirming its commitment to wellness by placing quality rest at the centre of the travel experience. The brand, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, is introducing a series of immersive sleep-focused programmes across its properties in Asia Pacific excluding China. For more than a decade, Westin has championed well-being through its three core pillars: Sleep Well, Eat Well, and Move Well. At the heart of the brand’s sleep philosophy is the iconic Heavenly® Bed, which features specially designed mattresses, plush pillows, and premium linens created to deliver…

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…