Category: Travel

Travel

Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2026: Goa Among India’s Most Welcoming Regions

Tanisha Cardozo

Booking.com has recognised Goa among the 10 Most Welcoming Regions in India as part of its 14th annual Traveller Review Awards 2026, reaffirming the State’s enduring appeal as a warm and hospitable destination. The global travel platform, known for connecting travellers with accommodation and transport services worldwide, bases the awards on the share of accommodation partners earning a Traveller Review Award for delivering authentic and caring guest experiences.

This year, Goa has retained its position among India’s most welcoming regions, while Mandrem has emerged as one of the top 10 Most Welcoming Destinations in the country. Other welcoming destinations within Goa highlighted for their hospitality include Agonda, Palolem, Arambol, and Morjim, reflecting the State’s diverse coastal charm and community-driven tourism ethos.

The awards are powered by more than 370 million verified traveller reviews worldwide. In 2026, a total of 17,575 travel partners in India received the Traveller Review Awards, marking an increase from 15,674 recipients in 2025. Globally, a record-breaking 1.81 million partners were recognised, including over 1.8 million accommodation providers, 1,977 rental car companies, and 137 airport transfer suppliers.

This year’s awards also reflect evolving traveller preferences across India. Hotels continue to be the most popular accommodation choice, with 6,650 award recipients, followed by homestays (2,652), apartments (1,984), resorts (1,338), and guest houses (1,218). The numbers highlight a growing demand for personalised and unique travel experiences.

The 2026 list of Most Welcoming Regions in India includes Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Assam, Karnataka, and Haryana. Among the Most Welcoming Destinations are Bir, Mararikulam, Jaisalmer, McLeod Ganj, Mukteswar, Khajuraho, Bhim Tal, Manali, Hampi, and Mandrem.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com, stated that the Traveller Review Awards celebrate partners who consistently deliver exceptional hospitality across India. He noted that Goa’s continued recognition reflects its vibrant culture and coastal charm, with local partners playing a crucial role in making India a memorable destination for travellers from around the world.

Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com aims to make it easier for everyone to experience the world by leveraging technology to simplify travel. Goa’s continued presence on the Most Welcoming list underscores not only its scenic appeal but also the warmth and dedication of its hospitality community, which continues to leave a lasting impression on visitors year after year.

Travel

Kochi to Become First Indian City with Light Tram Transport System

allycaralgoa

Kochi, Kerala — marking a milestone in India’s urban transport landscape, Kochi is set to become the nation’s first city to introduce a light tram transport system. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has approved preliminary procedures to move forward with this innovative infrastructure plan aimed at enhancing urban mobility and bridging gaps in last‑mile connectivity that conventional metro systems can’t cover.

The planned system will complement the existing metro network by serving areas not currently covered, helping to reduce traffic congestion in busy corridors and offering a more affordable alternative to high‑cost metro expansions. Initial proposals include a 6.2‑kilometre pilot route connecting MG Road, Thevara, Shanmugham Road, and key commercial hubs — regions known for heavy commuter traffic.

According to KMRL officials, the new light trams — proposed to be 25 metres long, with three coaches and electric‑hybrid technology — will be capable of running on existing roads, elevated tracks, or even underground, allowing planners flexible integration with Kochi’s urban layout. The trams are designed to carry up to 240 passengers and recharge rapidly, offering a greener, efficient transport option.

This light tram initiative also promises significant cost savings compared to conventional metro systems, with infrastructure costs estimated at roughly one‑fourth per kilometre. KMRL’s initial feasibility study highlights the potential for local manufacturing and further cost optimization.

If successfully implemented, Kochi’s light tram project could set a new precedent for sustainable urban transit across India and serve as a model for other cities facing similar mobility challenges.

Travel

Delhi Hotel Prices Soar to ₹5 Lakh Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Hotel room rates across New Delhi have risen sharply ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with some luxury rooms reportedly touching ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night during the peak dates. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, is expected to draw thousands of global delegates, technology leaders, and policymakers, creating unprecedented demand across the city’s hospitality sector.

Hotels across the capital are witnessing near-full occupancy for the summit period. The event has already received more than 35,000 registrations from around the world, leading to a surge in last-minute bookings and steep price increases. Rooms that usually cost between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 per night are now being sold at significantly higher rates due to the demand spike.

Travel portals show that during the peak dates of February 19 and 20, room prices at several five-star hotels are reaching a few lakh rupees per night. In some premium categories, especially luxury suites and club rooms, rates are reportedly crossing ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night. Many of these high-end rooms are either already sold out or available only with strict minimum-stay conditions.

Aloke Bajpai, CEO of travel portal Ixigo, confirmed the surge in prices, stating that several five-star hotels in Delhi NCR are charging more than ₹1 lakh per night between February 16 and 20. Flagship properties such as The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace have increased their tariffs for the summit period, with standard luxury rooms now priced at peak-season levels.

Central Delhi properties are also seeing heavy demand. Hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La Eros, and The Park are nearly sold out between February 18 and 20. According to Ixigo data, a room at The Imperial in Connaught Place on February 17 is priced at more than ₹2.4 lakh per night, while Radisson Blu is charging around ₹1.1 lakh for the same date.

The India AI Impact Summit is being described as the largest among the four global AI summits held so far. It is expected to host participants from more than 100 countries, including 15 to 20 heads of government, over 50 ministers, and representatives from more than 40 global and Indian companies. Around 500 key figures from the global AI ecosystem, including innovators, researchers, and chief technology officers, are also expected to attend.

The summit was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and will mark the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. With the capital preparing to host one of the largest international technology gatherings, the sharp rise in hotel prices reflects the scale and global interest surrounding the event.

Travel

Air India Unveils Luxurious 16,000 sq. ft. Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport

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New Delhi, February 2026: Air India has unveiled its stunning new Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, marking a milestone in the airline’s transformation since Tata Group took over in 2022.

Spanning 16,000 square feet, the lounge seamlessly blends traditional Indian heritage motifs with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy facilities such as the Aviator’s Bar, Crystal Bar, dedicated sleep suites, live cooking stations, and plush seating areas across separate Business and First Class sections. The lounge accommodates up to 300 guests and offers a serene environment for relaxation, work, and leisure before flights.

CEO Campbell Wilson described the Maharaja Lounge as “a key step in our journey to redefine Air India’s passenger experience,” adding that more premium lounges are planned, including one at San Francisco International Airport. Eligible Business and First Class passengers, along with Star Alliance members, will gain access starting February 16.

Aviation enthusiasts and travelers have already shared glowing reviews of the lounge, praising its gold-accented interiors, spacious seating, and thoughtful blend of Indian artistry with modern comforts. Some have noted ongoing refinements to service, especially for elite passengers, as the team continues to perfect the guest experience.

With this launch, Air India strengthens its positioning as a world-class airline offering premium services that honor Indian heritage while catering to global travelers.

Travel

Aguad Port and Jail Complex to Represent Goa at Asia’s Largest Travel Mart, OTM 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

One of Goa’s most iconic heritage spaces, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, is set to make its presence felt at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, to be held from February 5 to 7 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre. Representing Goa on one of Asia’s largest travel trade platforms, Aguad will showcase the state’s rich cultural history and evolving tourism experiences to a global audience.

OTM is regarded as one of the leading international travel trade exhibitions, focusing on the travel, tourism, hospitality and MICE industries. The event brings together travel brands, destinations, tour operators, buyers and industry professionals from across the world. With around 2,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries, the exhibition is expected to welcome more than 50,000 visitors over the three-day event.

At OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex aims to highlight the diverse experiences offered at the site. These include immersive heritage walks that narrate the complex’s role as a strategic defence structure and as a prison that once housed freedom fighters. By blending historical narratives with curated visitor engagement, Aguad positions itself as a space where Goa’s layered past meets contemporary cultural tourism.

Experiences such as heritage cruises and boat transfers will also be showcased, offering visitors panoramic views of Goa’s coastline, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, and the surrounding Aguada Bay as vessels glide through the Arabian Sea. These offerings are being positioned as complete experiences that combine scenic beauty, history and leisure.

Speaking about the participation, Savio Mathias, Vice President – Operations and Business Development, Aguad Port and Jail Complex, said that Aguad is more than just a historic landmark and represents a space where Goa’s history comes alive through thoughtfully curated visitor experiences. He noted that OTM provides an ideal platform to present Aguad as a key destination in Goa, with potential for cultural tourism, events and immersive programming, while also fostering collaborations that promote responsible tourism and enhance visitor engagement.

With its participation at OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex continues to strengthen its position as a significant cultural destination, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Goa beyond its beaches through history, heritage and meaningful storytelling.