Air India has unveiled its much-anticipated ‘Namaste World’ promotional sale, delivering attractive all-inclusive fares across its domestic and international network.
For a limited time, one-way domestic fares start from just ₹1,499, while round-trip international fares begin at ₹12,310. The offer is valid until 11:59 pm on 15 August 2025 and applies to travel until 31 March 2026. Tickets can be booked through Air India’s direct channels and, after the first day, via travel agents and airport offices.
Web-Exclusive Day 1 On 10 August 2025, bookings were exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app. From the following day, customers can also book through all sales channels, including travel agents and airport ticket counters.
Book Direct Benefits Passengers booking via Air India’s website or app enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings:
Promo Code FLYAI – Save up to ₹1,000 per passenger.
Visa Card Promo Code VISAFLY – Discounts up to ₹2,500 per passenger, depending on the trip type and route.
VISA Card Offers:
Domestic One-Way: ₹250 off
Domestic Round Trip: ₹500 off
International One-Way: Up to ₹1,500 off
International Round Trip: Up to ₹2,500 off
Extra Travel Comfort Air India is also offering up to 60% off on prepaid baggage and 15% off on seat selection, including extra-legroom seats, booked via both direct and indirect channels.
Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip International Fares (Ex-India):
India–Sri Lanka: ₹12,310
India–Singapore: ₹14,020
India–UAE: ₹18,060
India–USA: ₹49,635
India–United Kingdom: ₹44,500
Seats are limited and available on select domestic and international routes on a first-come, first-served basis. Fares may vary slightly depending on exchange rates and local taxes.
This offer comes as Air India, under Tata Group ownership, continues its Vihaan.AI transformation program, investing in new aircraft, upgraded interiors, expanded services, and enhanced passenger experiences.
In a resounding global recognition of India’s cultural richness, Jaipur has been ranked fifth in the world in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Cities 2025 list.
Known globally as the Pink City, Jaipur is celebrated for its unique architectural character, colorful bazaars, majestic palaces, and legendary hospitality. Adding to its prestige, Jaipur is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — a rare honor for any city worldwide.
🏛 The Walled City of Jaipur, painted in its iconic pink hue, stands out for its historic urban planning.
🏯 Amber Fort, perched on a hill, tells tales of Rajput valor and grandeur.
🌌 Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory, remains an architectural and scientific wonder.
Tourism Minister Diya Kumari, also the former princess of Jaipur, expressed immense pride in the ranking. “This is not just an achievement for Rajasthan, but for the entire country. It reinforces Jaipur’s status as a global tourism icon,” she said. She emphasized citizen participation in maintaining cleanliness and pride in the city, attributing the achievement also to the government’s preservation policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in enhancing India’s global profile.
Tour operators and tourists alike echoed the sentiment. “Jaipur is already a favorite among international travelers. This title adds even more value to the city’s name,” said Sanjay Kaushik of Rajputana Holiday Makers.
An Argentinian tourist at Hawa Mahal summed up Jaipur’s charm: “It’s my favorite city in India — the food, the people, the history… it’s unforgettable.”
Jaipur joins an elite list of global destinations, including:
San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Tokyo (Japan)
Bangkok (Thailand)
Jaipur (India)
Jaipur even outperformed Florence (Italy), which came in at 11th place, reaffirming its rising prominence on the international tourism map.
Nestled deep within the lush hills of Meghalaya, the tiny village of Mawsynram—renowned as the wettest place on Earth—is poised to become a global tourism marvel with the announcement of the world’s first Rain Museum.
The museum, with an allocated budget of ₹35 crore, will blend science, culture, and sensory experience to redefine how travelers engage with nature. Announced by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, tenders are now open, and construction is expected to begin after the monsoon season subsides.
A Museum Like No Other
The Rain Museum will feature:
Immersive rain simulation zones that mimic the sound, feel, and rhythm of monsoon rainfall
Interactive exhibits on meteorology and local folklore
Traditional Khasi culture displays, showcasing the heritage of the region
State-of-the-art weather research facilities, with collaborations expected from ISRO and the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
This initiative aims to reimagine tourism in the Northeast, offering not just sightseeing, but a deep sensory and educational dive into one of nature’s most enchanting phenomena—rain.
More Than a Museum
Beyond the museum walls, Mawsynram offers:
Limestone caves waiting to be explored
Rain-fed waterfalls that cascade with wild grace
Trekking routes through mystical green hills
Khasi culinary and cultural experiences that highlight the warm hospitality of the region
Tourism Minister Lyngdoh emphasized the need to transform Meghalaya’s natural abundance into immersive experiences that attract responsible global tourists. “This museum will be a symbol of how nature, tradition, and technology can come together,” he said.
What’s Next?
Construction is slated to begin post-monsoon 2025, with the aim of opening doors by late 2026. As the world looks for sustainable, experiential travel, Mawsynram’s Rain Museum is set to become a bucket-list destination for nature lovers, culture seekers, and curious minds alike.
India has made a significant leap on the global travel map. According to the newly released Henley Passport Index 2025, India has moved up eight places to rank 77th globally. The index ranks world passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 countries, compared to 57 last year. While only two new countries were added, the jump in ranking reflects improved international diplomatic ties and mobility opportunities.
The Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is widely recognized as a benchmark for global mobility. The index considers factors such as visa agreements, bilateral relations, and travel freedom.
🌐 What Changed?
New Additions: 2 new destinations added to India’s visa-free/visa-on-arrival list.
Improved Ranking: From 85th in 2024 to 77th in 2025.
Total Access: 59 countries now open to Indian passport holders without prior visa.
🧳 What It Means for You:
This improved ranking signals better global perception, potential ease for business travel, international education, tourism, and people-to-people ties. However, India still trails behind many Asian counterparts like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
While there’s a long way to go to reach the top tiers, this upward move reflects growing opportunities for Indian citizens on the global stage.
Goa’s tourism sector is undergoing a defining transformation, one driven not just by government policy or infrastructure, but by the collective strength and shared vision of its stakeholders. In an increasingly competitive and dynamic travel landscape, the unity among hoteliers, restaurateurs, water sports operators, transport providers, and the Department of Tourism is laying the foundation for a more resilient, sustainable, and visitor-focused future.
The challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic tested every aspect of the tourism value chain. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Tourism adopted a focused and phased approach to revive the sector. Health and safety protocols were strengthened across establishments, awareness campaigns were rolled out to restore traveller confidence, and strategic collaborations with industry stakeholders were prioritised to ensure smooth reopening. Infrastructure upgrades, support for local businesses, and digital transformation were fast-tracked to adapt to new travel preferences. As a result, Goa was among the first destinations in India to witness a strong recovery in tourist footfalls, paving the way for more coordinated and quality-driven tourism development.
In the months and years that followed, stakeholders across the board began working more closely with the Department of Tourism to re-establish Goa’s standing as a premier tourist destination. Protocols were strengthened, services were reoriented, and an emphasis was placed on delivering authentic, safe, and meaningful visitor experiences.
A New Era of Coordination Today, the synergy between the public and private sectors is more visible than ever. The Department of Tourism has institutionalised regular consultation with key associations, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in operational realities. In turn, industry stakeholders have responded with increased accountability and commitment to quality.
The post-pandemic phase ushered in a new model of collaboration between the Department of Tourism and various stakeholders across the industry. Regular stakeholder meetings, streamlined facilitation processes, and a unified response to emerging challenges have resulted in greater efficiency and preparedness across sectors. From event planning to infrastructure improvements and destination marketing, the partnership between the public and private sectors has strengthened significantly, ensuring that Goa’s tourism offerings are not only consistent and safe but also increasingly aligned with the evolving expectations of travellers.
Promotional campaigns now go beyond generic messaging. By focusing on local culture, heritage festivals, hinterland trails, and culinary narratives, the Department has successfully steered Goa’s brand toward depth and authenticity, resulting in higher year round engagement and more participative tourism.
“The Department’s thoughtful efforts in promoting Goa’s festivals, traditions, and local culture have significantly enhanced visitor engagement. These authentic and grounded narratives have sparked deeper interest among travellers. As a result, we’ve witnessed higher occupancies across both North and South Goa between May and June 2025, largely due to tourists seeking more participative and genuine experiences,” stated Mr. Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice president, Operations, IHCL Goa.
Shared Vision for the Future With the upcoming seasons in focus, tourism stakeholders are actively aligning their strategies with shared goals: diversifying tourism circuits, improving service delivery, and promoting Goa as a destination for all seasons. Whether it’s wellness, culture, spiritual tourism, or adventure, there’s a concerted effort to move beyond the beach and nightlife binary.
“We’ve witnessed a significant rise in tourist participation in watersports activities in the first half of 2025, and a lot of that can be attributed to the Department of Tourism’s focused efforts in promoting safe, well-regulated, and diverse experiences. More tourists are now looking for adventure-driven, memorable moments on our shores, and this surge in interest has motivated us to continually improve our offerings while ensuring safety and sustainability remain at the core.” said Mr. Savio D’Souza, Sea Royale Adventure Sport, Candolim.
A key area of collective attention is sustainability. Stakeholders are increasingly aware that growth must not come at the cost of Goa’s environment or communities. Eco-certifications, waste management, energy-efficient practices, and training for frontline staff are being integrated into everyday operations.
Sustainability has emerged as a core pillar of Goa’s tourism revival strategy in the post-pandemic era. Recognising the need to balance growth with long-term ecological and cultural preservation, the Department of Tourism has introduced initiatives that promote responsible travel, community engagement, and low-impact experiences. Homestays, hinterland trails, and heritage circuits are being promoted to distribute tourism more evenly and support local livelihoods.
Regenerative Tourism, focusing on restoring ecosystems and empowering communities, has become central to the State’s approach, ensuring that tourism not only sustains but also enriches Goa’s natural and cultural heritage.
Strength in Unity What was once a fragmented network of individual operators has now evolved into a coordinated ecosystem of partners with a shared sense of purpose. The cooperation witnessed today across the tourism sector in Goa is not only facilitating better outcomes for visitors, but also ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and the environment.
Mr. Jack Sukhija, TTAG President said “What we are witnessing today is a far more cohesive approach to tourism management in Goa. There is a visible shift from fragmented efforts to unified action, whether it is policy consultation, promotion, or on-ground execution. The Department of Tourism has made a conscious effort to involve stakeholders in the decision-making process, and that inclusivity is laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future for Goa’s tourism industry.”
As Goa moves forward, one thing is clear, the strength of its tourism future lies in collective action. With stakeholders united, guided by a vision of quality, sustainability, and innovation, the State is well-positioned to lead the next wave of responsible and rewarding travel in India.
