
COVER STORIES
VFS Global has been appointed as an Authorized Visa Agent (AVA) for Singapore visa services in Chandigarh and Chennai in India by The High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in New Delhi, and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai, to make the Singapore visa application process seamless for applicants across Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
Switzerland Tourism India recently conducted exclusive destination trainings in Kochi (31st Mar 2026), Thiruvananthapuram (1st Apr 2026) and Kanpur (9th Apr 2026) for a total of over 170 representatives of the Indian outbound travel trade across the 3 cities.
UPI has expanded beyond national borders and is now operational or linked with payment systems in multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.
Uncertain times is the right moment for destinations to steer growth with precision, says Olivier Ponti, Director of Market Intelligence & Insights at Amadeus. “They must focus on traveller segments that create the most value, flatten seasonality, strengthen ties between the meetings industry and local universities or research institutes, and ensure long term, sustainable development.”
From the total tourism population, the percentage that travels for any type of sport or sporting event is 7–8% today, says Daniel Dsouza, Co-Founder, DreamSetGo. “These are expensive experiences and could be anything from watching a match or a race, it could cost anywhere between US$ 4,000–5,000 per person. So, the market size is relatively still small but is growing at an extremely fast pace.”
Speaking about India’s potential for MICE, Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, says, “India’s MICE moment is now. The G20 Presidency was a transformative chapter for India, but perhaps its most enduring impact lies in the spectacular showcase of our MICE prowess. With 56 cities hosting over 200 meetings involving delegates from different geographies & culture, our MICE logistical backbone was put to the ultimate test. From world-class meeting venues and seamless ground transportation to sophisticated experience curation and diverse culinary offerings, India didn’t just host — it excelled. The momentum is undeniable.”

















