goSTOPS, has raised INR 35 Crore (USD 4.2 million) in Series A funding, led by Blume Ventures with co-lead investor 1Crowd. Other investors, including Mumbai Angels, Chennai Angels, Indian Angel Network, Lead Angels, and Yuj Ventures, also participated, reaffirming their trust in goSTOPS’ rapid growth and vision. With this fresh funding, goSTOPS plans to expand from 2,500 to 10,000 beds across 100 locations in 24 months, enhancing its operations, technology, and customer experience while securing additional debt partnerships for further expansion. Founded by Pallavi Agarwal and Pankaj Parwanda, goSTOPS has revolutionized youth travel in India, offering vibrant, community-driven hostels…
Author: Nishtha Ganesh
Uttarakhand is making waves in winter tourism, offering thrilling activities like trekking and skiing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged corporates to embrace “Gham Tapo” tourism by hosting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events in the state, tapping into its vast potential. Highlighting the booming wedding economy, Modi emphasised the “Wed in India” initiative, encouraging couples to choose Uttarakhand for winter weddings. The state’s recognition as the “Most Film-Friendly State” further positions it as an ideal destination for film shoots, backed by rapid infrastructural advancements. A significant step in this direction is Uttarakhand’s Winter Tourism programme, which has…
Air India recently organised it’s first-ever pan-India cricket tournament, the Air India Super League 2025 (AISL 2025). Some 48 travel agencies from across India participated in the Super League. The event was aimed at fostering greater partnership with travel agencies and OTAs, particularly their front line staffs. AISL is expected to be a calendar event with possibly greater industry participations happening in it’s future editions. AISL 2025 was co-sponsored by Amadeus, leading travel technology service provider. All the participating teams competed in regional round robin matches in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai with the two finalists Team Travel…
Women’s solo travel in India is undergoing a significant transformation, with Gen Z (18-25) leading the trend, accounting for 40.7% of solo female travellers in 2024, according to IntrCity SmartBus data. Spiritual tourism is on the rise, with Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Amritsar witnessing increased footfall. Amritsar alone welcomed over 10,000 solo women travelers, while Goa remained the top leisure destination, attracting more than 20,000 solo female visitors from cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bangalore. A key trend among solo female travellers is their structured approach to trip planning. Most book their journeys 2-5 days in advance, with weekend travelers…
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of ropeways for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. The Kedarnath ropeway, spanning 12.9 kilometers, will be built with an investment of approximately INR 4,081 crore, while the Hemkund Sahib project will cost around INR 2,730 crore. These initiatives aim to enhance accessibility to these important pilgrimage sites. The Kedarnath ropeway will connect Sonprayag to Kedarnath and will be executed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The project will be developed through a public-private partnership and will feature the Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) system.…
Air India has introduced ‘ZipAhead,’ a paid priority service for Economy Class travellers on domestic flights, offering expedited check-in and baggage handling. Designed for time-conscious passengers, this service provides access to Premium Economy check-in counters and priority baggage services at six major Indian airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Passengers can purchase ‘ZipAhead’ for INR 499 if booked more than six hours before departure or INR 699 within six hours of departure. The service remains available up to 75 minutes before departure via the airline’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, and customer contact center. While ‘ZipAhead’…
The Indian government has introduced new regulations for passport issuance, impacting individuals born on or after October 1, 2023. These changes are part of amendments to the Passport Rules of 1980, which will come into effect upon publication in the official Gazette. The revision aims to streamline identity verification for passport applicants. According to the updated rules, individuals in the specified birth category must provide a birth certificate as the sole proof of their date of birth. This certificate must be issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or any other designated authority under the…
The Maharashtra government is considering setting up rescue centres akin to Gujarat’s Vantara to tackle rising tiger attacks in Vidarbha. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik confirmed that his department is working on solutions and has sought approval to involve industrialists in establishing such centres. He has also reached out to Anant Ambani, whose Vantara facility in Gujarat serves as a model for animal rehabilitation. With 27 tiger-related deaths reported in Chandrapur last year, Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and Nana Patole demanded immediate intervention in the state Assembly. Patole called for a review of wildlife laws to balance human safety and…
Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed an unprecedented tourism surge, attracting over 4.40 crore visitors in the past two years. This includes 1.20 lakh foreign tourists, highlighting the region’s growing appeal among international travelers. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the sector’s role in generating employment and boosting the local economy, reinforcing tourism as a key driver of regional development. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar played a significant role in drawing visitors. In 2023 alone, it recorded 3.65 lakh tourists, including 3,000 foreign nationals, during its one-month bloom. This record-breaking footfall reflects the increasing interest in Kashmir’s natural…
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is set to host grand festivals in Shamli and Jaunpur, celebrating the state’s rich art, culture, and heritage. According to an official statement, the Shamli Mahotsav will take place from March 7 to 10, followed by the Jaunpur Mahotsav from March 10 to 12. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasised that these festivals will showcase cultural performances, local handicrafts, and culinary delights, promoting Uttar Pradesh as a premier tourism destination. The state continues to attract domestic and international visitors with its spiritual, religious, and natural attractions. The Shamli Mahotsav, hosted at VV PG…
