Latest news with #Skift
United News of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
Dr. Jyotsna Suri Leading India's Tourism Renaissance on the Global Stage
New Delhi [India], June 24: Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, offers her expert perspective on the evolving trends shaping India's travel and hospitality landscape. As international tourist arrivals continue to fall short of expectations, Dr. Suri calls for a bold new approach to how India presents itself on the world stage, emphasizing the need for innovative marketing, infrastructure improvements, and the creation of new destinations to truly unlock the country's tourism potential. While India's domestic tourism scene is bustling, international tourism hasn't quite bounced back as strongly as many had hoped. Even as the world's overall tourism numbers recover, India is still seeing fewer foreign visitors compared to the pre-pandemic era. In 2023, for example, only about 9.5 million foreign tourists arrived in India—a figure that remains over 10% below the nearly 11 million recorded in 2019, according to Skift. The trend hasn't improved much by mid-2024, with just 4.8 million foreign arrivals in the first six months. When Dr. Jyotsna Suri speaks about the future of India's tourism sector, one thing stands out above all: the urgent need to put India on the global map through bold and consistent marketing. She points out that, despite the country's incredible diversity and rich experiences, India simply isn't being marketed as aggressively as it should be. 'Right now, we are not being marketed at all,' she says, stressing that a well-funded, ministry-led campaign could quickly change the narrative and attract a wider range of international visitors. While progress on infrastructure upgrades is encouraging, Dr. Suri admits it will take time before India's facilities truly match world-class standards; still, she is heartened by the direction things are moving and the ongoing investments being made. She also highlights the importance of developing new destinations, not just for drawing in foreign tourists but for giving domestic travellers fresh places to explore. Many existing spots remain underutilised, and new attractions could help spread out the crowds and ease pressure on popular sites. When it comes to competing with neighbours like Thailand and Indonesia, Dr. Jyotsna Suri acknowledges that India might be a bit pricier in some areas, especially with GST factored in, but she firmly believes the country delivers outstanding value for money—something that discerning travellers appreciate. A shift is happening, where the focus is moving from attracting backpackers to courting higher-spending, quality tourists who are looking for unique and enriching experiences. The Indian government has launched several key initiatives to attract more international tourists, focusing on developing 50 major destinations to enhance infrastructure and provide a better visitor experience. Visa reforms, including streamlined e-visa processes and fee waivers for select travellers, are making it easier for tourists to visit India. Additionally, programs promoting spiritual, heritage, and medical tourism highlight the country's unique cultural and wellness offerings. Efforts to improve regional connectivity through schemes like UDAN are opening up access to lesser-known destinations, making India more accessible overall. Dr. Jyotsna Suri praised the combined efforts of the central and state governments, including leadership from the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Chief Ministers, for their commitment to revitalising tourism. 'It will happen soon. It'll take time, but it will happen,' she said, expressing optimism about the future and India's potential to emerge as a top global destination. With the right strategies and sustained effort, India can not only compete with its neighbours but also emerge as a leading global destination for all types of travellers.
Skift
a day ago
- Business
- Skift
Inside the Skift IDEA Awards Winners Package 2025: Recognition, Access, Visibility
With just three days until the final submission deadline, let's take a look at the incredible 2025 Skift IDEA Awards winner package. Whether you've already submitted or are still deciding, here's what you stand to gain. The final deadline for the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards is Monday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Each year, Skift IDEA Awards celebrate design, innovation, and impact across the global travel industry. From brand campaigns to destination storytelling, sustainability initiatives to excellence in meetings & events, the program highlights standout work that's shaping what comes next. Winners receive a prize package valued at over $10,000, designed to deliver real visibility, access, and long-term recognition across the travel sector. What 2025 Skift IDEA Awards Winners Receive Full Access to Skift Global Forum ($3,495 value) Winners receive a complimentary ticket to the travel industry's most influential event this September in New York City. 25% Off Additional Passes Invite collaborators or colleagues at a reduced rate. Onstage Recognition Join Skift CEO Rafat Ali onstage for a winner spotlight and group photo during the Forum. A Skift IDEA Awards Trophy A physical award to mark the achievement, introduced last year and returning bigger and better for 2025. Access to the Most Powerful Room in Global Travel Skift Global Forum is where travel's top minds gather to define what's next, and winners will gain access to unparalleled networking opportunities. Editorial Coverage on Winners are featured across Skift's channels, reaching a global audience of decision-makers and travel professionals. Brand Presence at Skift Global Forum Get exposure on-site through branded digital displays and signage. Custom Digital Winner Kit Includes branded assets for press, social media, and internal communications. Visibility with Skift Editors and VIP Judges Put your work in front of influential voices shaping the future of travel. View the 2025 judging panel here. $395 Credit Toward Skift Premium Products Apply credit toward industry research and reporting. Industry-Wide Recognition Join a cohort of brands, agencies, and creators driving meaningful change. What the Judges Are Saying 'I'm excited to take part in the Skift IDEA Awards and get a first look at the innovations shaping the future of travel... I'm looking for ideas that not only challenge the norms but also offer practical, helpful solutions that enhance the traveller's experience.' — Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel, TikTok 'Travel has the power to truly be a force for good... I'm excited to see how this year's entries are pushing the boundaries and showing what's possible when travel is reimagined through the lens of sustainability, innovation, and community.' — Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President, Global Social Impact & Sustainability, Expedia Group 'With AI dominating the conversation the last years... I'm looking for work that feels distinctive, intentional, and built to last.' — Katalina Mayorga, CEO, El Camino Travel See how past winners landed a Skift IDEA Award and what made their work stand out. Not Sure Where to Start? Explore the right category for your work with our Category Finder Quiz. The submission form doesn't need to take all day - you can put together a thoughtful, clear, and compelling entry in under 90 minutes. Final Deadline to Submit: Monday, June 30, 2025 There are just three days left to submit your entry. With a $10,000+ prize package and global visibility on the line, this is your last opportunity to be part of the travel industry's most forward-thinking award program.
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Skift Aviation Forum Returns to Fort Worth on December 3
The 5th annual Skift Aviation Forum returns to Fort Worth on December 3, co-hosted by American Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Following last year's sold-out event, this year promises even deeper insights and high-level networking with aviation's top leaders. Skift Aviation Forum, the premier gathering for global airline leaders and innovators, returns for its fifth annual edition on December 3, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. Hosted by American Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), this one-day event will be held at the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel. Following a sold-out 2024 edition, this year's Forum promises to be even more impactful. Over the past four years, the Skift Aviation Forum has become a must-attend event for aviation executives, analysts, and strategists. This year will feature a full day of expertly curated conversations, high-level panels, expert guided roundtable discussions and valuable networking opportunities. The event's programming will delve into critical topics such as regulatory changes, network reconstruction, evolving traveler preferences, and the impact of technology on the aviation industry. With a single-track format, participants won't miss any of the high-level discussions and can engage directly with speakers and peers throughout the day. Networking is a cornerstone of the Skift Aviation Forum. The new Skift Live App allows attendees to review profiles and schedule meetings in advance. Dedicated networking sessions, including breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail reception, provide ample opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Registration is now open, with super early bird access available for a limited-time. Secure your spot at the forefront of aviation innovation and strategy by registering today. But don't wait, this event sold out last year and we anticipate it selling out more information and to register, visit
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
3 Travel Startup Investors Warn Founders Not to Fall for AI Hype
AI may provide new tools to help solve problems, but that doesn't change what travel tech investors are looking for in startup founders. What do travel investors really think about AI, startups, and the future of travel? In this unscripted Ask Me Anything session, three venture experts answer audience questions – no slides, no pitches, just sharp takes and presumably honest insights. Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit moderated the conversation with Cara Whitehill (vice president, Thayer Investment Partners), Gilad Berenstein (founder, Brook Bay Capital), and Max Niederhofer (partner, Heartcore Capital) at the Skift Data+AI Summit earlier this month. Below are four takeaways from the conversation. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS 1. Avoid AI Hype. Focus on Solving Real Problems Investors are turned off by pitches that focus too much on AI but lack technical depth or market understanding. Founders need to demonstrate clear insight about the problem, and AI alone is rarely going to solve it. 'It's a tool; it's not a solution,' Whitehill said. 'The things that I look for are founder-market fit,' Whitehill said. 'I want to know that this person is obsessed with the problem — but not necessarily the solution. Because you might have an idea of a particular way to approach this market problem, but once you get into it, you find it's not quite right. They need to be willing to shift gears a little bit to find the right solution.' 2. There Is No 'AI War' Rather than a 'winner-takes-all' AI war, the panel expects multiple players to emerge across niches in travel. Besides large travel players, Berenstein thinks AI creates an opportunity for specialized travel sellers to establish 'clubs' with loyal members. Berenstein: 'I'm really bullish on travel clubs that really understand a specific audience and can put together complete experiences that are passion-based. Maybe the first discovery will go through Google or whatever. But people will become members of these clubs. And then you will have a direct relationship with them.' 3. Potential for Fundamental Change AI has the potential to monumentally change the way the travel industry operates. In the meantime, companies should focus on collecting thorough, clean data. Niederhofer: 'I think there's a chance to change the way this industry works at the infrastructure level. I really would love to see a way where we make the whole industry better, and its underpinnings. There might be a moment where in 10 years we might look back on right now and there's a startup in this room … that actually is rethinking some of the assumptions that we're making about the incumbents, and I include Google in that.' 4. Today's Household Names May Become Obsolete The biggest winners in prior industry-transforming tech revolutions often came onto the scene later in the process, building upon knowledge from the first waves of new companies. Startups based on the future of agentic AI could disintermediate search engines like Google or online travel agencies — if they offer real value to travelers and suppliers. That's assuming that online travel agencies don't reimagine themselves with the times, which they aim to do. Berenstein: 'The key value of the OTA is that you don't have to go to 37 websites to look at all the hotel websites. But if your AI assistant is willing to go to 37 websites for you, then all of a sudden the value of the OTA goes away. The commission can be used to reduce my price, to give me a benefit, to increase the margin for the hotel.'
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Skift Travel Health Index: May 2025 Highlights
In May 2025, Skift Travel Health Index, at 102, indicates a period of balanced growth in the global travel industry. While the hotel sector faces challenges and revised forecasts, the strong performance of vacation rentals and steady growth in other segments paint an optimistic picture for global travel. Report Overview This report highlights the latest insights from the Skift Travel Health Index. The index covers travel's performance since January 2020, up to and including May 2025. The Skift Travel Health Index is a real-time measure of the performance of the travel industry at large, and the core verticals within it. The Index provides the travel industry with a powerful tool for strategic planning, which is of utmost importance as times remain uncertain. Skift Research launched the Index in May 2020 as the Skift Recovery Index. At the start of 2022 we rebranded the Index as the Skift Travel Health Index, to reflect some far-ranging changes: the addition of many more indicators, additional data partners, and most importantly, our continued effort to track the industry health beyond the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are thankful for the continued support of our other data partners: Amadeus, Aviasales, Beyond, CarTrawler, Cendyn, Cloudbeds, Collinson, Criteo, Duetto, Hotelbeds, Key Data Dashboard, Lighthouse, Nium, OAG, Onyx CenterSource, Shiji Group, Skyscanner, Sojern, The Data Appeal Company, TravelgateX, and TrustYou. Their data allows us to provide you with a monthly assessment of travel's performance.
