Blog

This Onam, Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort invites guests to embrace one of Kerala’s most cherished festivals through thoughtfully curated culinary experiences that celebrate heritage, community and the joy of coming together. Whether it’s a lavish festive brunch at Terra or an intimate farm-to-table Chingam Thali, the resort transforms into a destination where authentic flavours, festive traditions and the serenity of Nandi Hills come together to create memorable celebrations. Set amidst lush landscapes of Bengaluru, Mulberry Shades offers the perfect backdrop for slowing down and celebrating the season. Spend the afternoon indulging in authentic Kerala delicacies, stroll through the beautifully landscaped resort, unwind by the pool, or simply soak in the peaceful surroundings that make every visit feel like an escape from the city. The Great Onam Feast at Terra Taking centre stage is The Great Onam Feast, an elaborate Sunday brunch on 23rd August, celebrating Kerala’s vibrant culinary traditions through an expansive spread of festive favourites. Guests can savour regional classics including Kerala Fish Curry, Malabar Biryani, Kerala Matta Rice, Pulissery, Kalan and Olan, appams and grills. Traditional sweets such as Palada Payasam, Banana Halwa and Unniyappam complete the feast, alongside refreshing beverages including Sambaram, Watermelon Mint Cooler and Pineapple Ginger Fizz, with sparkling wines available as part of the alcoholic brunch. Adding to the festive atmosphere are a vibrant Onam Pookalam, live music, caricature artist and complimentary access to the resort’s swimming pool, making it an ideal celebration for families and friends looking to embrace the festive spirit while enjoying a leisurely day in nature. Chingam Thali: A Zero-Mile Dining Experience at Terra For those seeking a more intimate and traditional celebration, Terra also presents its Chingam Special Thali as part of the resort’s acclaimed Zero-Mile Cuisine philosophy. Available throughout the auspicious month of Chingam on Fridays and Saturdays from 14th August to 12th September, the specially curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis celebrate Kerala’s culinary heritage through locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and time-honoured home-style recipes. Thoughtfully crafted by Chef Udaya, the thali showcases authentic regional dishes including Kozhi Milagu Varuval, Chicken Chettinad, Alleppey Fish Curry, Beans Porial and Murungakai Sambar, offering guests a wholesome meal rooted in the traditions of Kerala while reflecting the resort’s commitment to sustainable, locally inspired dining. Whether guests choose the grandeur of a festive brunch or the authenticity of a thoughtfully curated thali, Mulberry Shades offers a celebration that goes beyond the table. Here, Onam becomes an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, embrace meaningful traditions and experience the warmth of Kerala’s hospitality amidst the calm of Nandi Hills. Event Details Venue: Terra, Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort Date: Sunday, 23rd August 2026 Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM Pricing: INR 3,000++ per person (Non-Alcoholic) | INR 4,000++ per person (Alcoholic) For reservations, please call: +91 73378 77235.   Event Details – Chingam Special Thali (Zero-Mile Cuisine) Venue: Terra, Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort Date: Every Friday & Saturday from 14th August to 12th September 2026 Time: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Lunch) Pricing: INR 1,600++ per person (Vegetarian) | INR 1,800++ per person (Non-Vegetarian) For reservations, please call: +91 73378 77235.

Tourism Malaysia India continued to strengthen its presence in the Indian market through its Sales Mission Series 2, held in Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi from 12 to 20 August 2026, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining strong engagement with one of its most important international source markets while navigating the evolving global travel landscape. Tourism Malaysia India Market Growth and Connectivity The sales mission brought together 47 Malaysian tourism stakeholders, comprising tour operators, hoteliers and airline partners, to strengthen trade partnerships, expand business opportunities and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. The programme also served as a platform for business-to-business (B2B) engagements, networking and the development of new travel opportunities between Malaysian and Indian tourism stakeholders. The mission was led by Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia India, and organised in collaboration with Batik Air, reflecting the strong public-private partnership in promoting Malaysia as a premier tourism destination. Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim said, “India remains one of Tourism Malaysia’s most important and fastest-growing source markets. While the current geopolitical developments and evolving international travel landscape may influence travel sentiment in certain regions, Tourism Malaysia remains committed to maintaining a strong presence in the market and ensuring Malaysia remains top of mind among Indian travellers. This calls for sustained, targeted and market-driven promotional efforts, supported by close collaboration with our airline partners and the travel trade.” Tourism Malaysia India Market Engagement Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal added, “Through this sales mission, we aim to strengthen business partnerships, generate new commercial opportunities and encourage our industry partners to develop more attractive and competitive travel packages tailored to the Indian market. At the same time, we want to inspire travellers to explore destinations beyond the traditional Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands itineraries.” “Destinations such as Sarawak, Langkawi, Penang, Johor and Sabah offer tremendous potential for the Indian market, featuring diverse experiences ranging from nature, adventure and island holidays to cultural heritage, gastronomy, shopping, family attractions, MICE and destination weddings. Promoting these destinations more extensively will encourage longer stays, higher visitor spending and repeat visitation.” India continues to be one of Malaysia’s key international source markets, supported by an extensive network of more than 190 direct flights weekly, offering a seat capacity of over 37,000 seats per week. This strong air connectivity provides seamless access to Malaysia and continues to support sustained growth in visitor arrivals. The market also continues to record encouraging performance. Following the introduction of visa-free travel for Indian nationals in December 2023, Malaysia welcomed more than 1.5 million visitor arrivals from India in 2025, placing India among Malaysia’s top five international source markets, alongside Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and China. This positive momentum is expected to continue through 2026 and beyond. With the Visit Malaysia campaign extended through 2027, Tourism Malaysia India will further intensify its promotional initiatives in India to sustain the momentum generated under Visit Malaysia 2026 while building a stronger pipeline of visitors for the extended campaign period. Tourism Malaysia India will continue to support stronger destination visibility and engagement with the Indian travel market. The extension provides greater opportunities to deepen industry collaboration, maintain Malaysia’s destination visibility and strengthen market confidence amid an evolving global tourism environment.

For professional football teams, the journey can be almost as carefully planned as the match itself. Clubs competing across Europe must work around training schedules, recovery time, specialist equipment, and last-minute fixture changes – challenges that are especially relevant for teams travelling from Greece and Cyprus. We have prepared a short insight article featuring Anestis Konstantinidis of Chapman Freeborn, looking at the logistics behind football team travel and how clubs manage schedules that commercial flights cannot always accommodate.

Chennai-based Shiksha Financial Services India Private Limited (“Shiksha Finance” or “Shiksha”) announced the conclusion of a securitisation transaction with DMI Housing Finance Private Limited, a National Housing Bank (NHB)-registered housing finance company committed to expanding access to affordable housing finance, particularly for lower-income and economically weaker sections. With a presence across 9 states and a network of 67 operational branches, DMI Housing Finance participated in the transaction as the investor. The transaction marks Shiksha’s first debt fundraising from a housing finance company. The transaction involved the issuance of pass-through certificates (PTCs) by “Micro-LAP Empower June 2026”, a special purpose vehicle trust set up exclusively for the transaction. The Series A1 PTCs of INR 43.4 million were fully subscribed to by DMI Housing Finance. The PTCs are backed by a pool of mortgage-backed loan receivables from 148 loan contracts originated by Shiksha Finance. The Series A1 PTCs have been assigned a provisional rating of ICRA A- (SO), with the credit enhancement in the structure being in the form of (i) a CC (Cash collateral) of 11.00% of the initial pool principal provided by Shiksha Finance, (ii) subordination of 10.00% of the initial pool principal for Series A1 PTC, and iii) the EIS of 41.80% of the initial pool principal for Series A1 PTC. The PTC transaction with DMI Housing Finance is the third in a series of similar transactions concluded by Shiksha Finance. With this transaction, Shiksha has cumulatively raised over INR 200 million through the securitisation route. The rating of PTCs from the previous two transactions has been maintained at A- (SO) by ICRA after their annual review. “The transaction with DMI Housing Finance is an important one for us at Shiksha, as this adds a new investor and a new class of investors to our list of supporters and stakeholders,” said Mr V L Ramakrishnan, CEO of Shiksha Finance. “We see PTCs and direct assignments as significant avenues for debt fundraise and treasury management in the future.”

ibis, one of Accor’s most trusted and fastest-growing hospitality brands, has announced the appointment of Rajesh Dudi as Director of Sales at ibis Hyderabad HITEC City. With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Rajesh brings extensive expertise in sales leadership, business development, and commercial strategy. Over the course of his career, he has worked with Accor and several leading hospitality brands, building a strong track record of driving business growth across diverse markets. In his new role, Rajesh will oversee the hotel’s overall sales and commercial strategy, with a focus on expanding corporate and travel trade partnerships, identifying new business opportunities, and strengthening the hotel’s presence across key market segments. He will also work closely with the team to drive revenue growth while supporting ibis Hyderabad’s long-term business objectives in an increasingly competitive market. “Rajesh brings with him a wealth of commercial expertise and a proven ability to deliver consistent business results across a wide range of hospitality brands. His deep understanding of the Hyderabad market, combined with his experience in leading successful sales teams and building long-term client partnerships, makes him a valuable addition to the ibis Hyderabad team. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen the hotel’s commercial performance while enhancing its position in one of India’s most competitive hospitality markets,” said Tejus Jose, Director of Operations, ibis and ibis Styles India. Built on a strong foundation in hospitality operations, Rajesh began his career in food and beverage operations before transitioning into sales, where he steadily progressed into senior commercial leadership roles. Over the years, he has led corporate account management, revenue generation, business development, and pre-opening initiatives across multiple hospitality brands. His consistent contribution to commercial excellence has earned him recognitions such as the Asia Pacific Sales Leader of the Year and Asia Pacific Best Sales Leader awards, reflecting his ability to deliver strong business results while building high-performing teams. Prior to joining ibis Hyderabad, he led the sales and marketing function for a leading entertainment destination, where he played a key role in expanding business from meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events. He also focused on building strategic partnerships and creating new revenue opportunities, further strengthening his expertise in developing integrated commercial strategies across the hospitality and leisure sectors. “I am excited to join ibis Hyderabad at a time when the city continues to grow as an important business and travel destination. ibis has earned the trust of travellers through its reliable and modern hospitality, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that foundation. My focus will be on strengthening our corporate relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting sustainable growth while continuing to deliver great experiences for our guests,” said Rajesh Dudi, Director of Sales, ibis Hyderabad HITEC City As ibis continues to expand its presence across India, strengthening its commercial leadership remains central to the brand’s growth strategy. Rajesh’s appointment reflects this commitment and reinforces ibis Hyderabad’s focus on driving sustainable business growth while delivering exceptional value and service to its guests.

Festivals are increasingly shaping travel decisions among Indians, with regional celebrations emerging as key holiday travel drivers. Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company SOTC Travel, are witnessing travellers increasingly aligning their holidays with Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, Navratri in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Eastern India, Mysore Dasara in Karnataka, Dussehra across North India and Diwali celebrated pan-India. As festivals create opportunities for extended breaks, travellers are combining celebrations with spiritual journeys, cultural immersions, family holidays and international getaways, transforming traditional festive occasions into memorable travel experiences. The trend is evident across India’s key source markets. Travellers from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are making the most of the Onam holidays, while Chennai and Coimbatore are leveraging the Pongal break to plan vacations. Mumbai and Pune continue to see festive travel around Ganesh Chaturthi, while Ahmedabad and Vadodara are aligning holidays with Navratri celebrations. Kolkata and Bhubaneswar are emerging as key travel hubs during Durga Puja, while Bengaluru and Mysuru are witnessing travellers extending the Mysore Dasara holidays into memorable getaways. Delhi NCR and Jaipur are among the key markets planning holidays around Dussehra, while Diwali continues to inspire travel across metros including Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad, as families and friends make the most of the festive break to explore destinations together. Spiritual and Cultural Experiences Continue to Hold Strong Appeal For many travellers, festivals remain deeply connected to faith and tradition. Destinations such as Vrindavan and Mathura witness heightened interest during Janmashtami, offering visitors the opportunity to experience celebrations through temple rituals, devotional music and cultural performances. Kolkata continues to attract travellers during Durga Puja, when the city transforms into a vibrant showcase of art, culture and community spirit. From elaborate pandals and street food to cultural performances and heritage walks, the festival has evolved into one of India’s biggest tourism attractions. Varanasi also sees increased interest during Diwali and Dev Deepawali, while Mysuru draws visitors from across the country for its iconic Dasara celebrations. Increasingly, travellers are choosing to experience festivals at their cultural heart, making domestic travel an integral part of festive celebrations. International Holidays Gain Momentum During Festive Breaks While domestic destinations remain popular, festive holidays are increasingly serving as a launchpad for international travel. As an extension of celebrations, many travellers are using festival breaks to undertake short- and mid-haul overseas holidays. While Europe continues to be a preferred choice among aspirational travellers seeking culture, history and scenic landscapes, particularly during the autumn season, Southeast Asia is witnessing strong demand from families and first-time international travellers. Destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia continue to perform strongly for their blend of leisure, culture, family-friendly attractions and easy accessibility. Travellers seeking immersive long-haul experiences are also showing growing interest in Japan, China, Egypt, South Africa and the UAE, drawn by unique cultural experiences, natural landscapes and curated itineraries that offer deeper connections with each destination. Experience-Led Travel Takes Centre Stage One of the defining characteristics of festive travel today is the shift towards experience-led holidays. Travellers are increasingly prioritizing meaningful activities over traditional sightseeing. Whether it’s participating in a tea ceremony in Japan, witnessing cultural performances in Bali, cruising through Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, exploring ancient wonders in Egypt or discovering local traditions across Europe, travellers are seeking experiences that deepen their connection with a destination. This growing preference reflects a broader evolution in travel behavior, where holidays are increasingly measured by memorable moments rather than the number of attractions visited. Multi-Generational Travel on the Rise Another notable trend is the rise of multi-generational travel during festive periods. Parents, children and grandparents are increasingly travelling together, making festivals an ideal occasion for family reunions beyond the home. Destinations such as Singapore and Malaysia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Bali, Japan and Europe continue to perform strongly among family groups due to their combination of accessibility, comfort and experiences suitable for different age groups. This trend is also contributing to longer trip durations, as families seek to maximize holiday periods and spend meaningful time together. Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Festivals have become one of the strongest drivers of holiday planning for Indian travellers, with regional celebrations increasingly influencing when and where people choose to travel. We are witnessing strong demand across key source markets from Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil Nadu to Durga Puja in Eastern India, Dussehra across Karnataka and North India, and Diwali celebrated across the country. Travellers are leveraging these festive windows to explore destinations that offer meaningful experiences, whether through spiritual journeys within India, family holidays in Southeast Asia, autumn escapes to Europe or immersive long-haul vacations. The growing popularity of multi-generational travel further highlights how holidays are becoming an integral part of modern festive celebrations.” Mr. SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said, “Festivals are no longer just occasions to return home, they are increasingly becoming opportunities to celebrate in new places and create new traditions with loved ones. Today’s travellers are looking beyond conventional holidays, choosing experiences that are immersive, enriching and memorable, whether it’s discovering local cultures and cuisines, embarking on spiritual journeys, enjoying scenic rail holidays, witnessing wildlife on an African safari or cruising through spectacular landscapes. Festive travel today is less about where people go and more about the memories they create together, making every celebration a journey in itself.”

Building on its ‘Tales of India’ brand initiative, Air India Express presents Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast, streaming on JioHotstar from 3 July Air India Express today announced ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’ – a definitive six-episode documentary series that serves as a profound exploration of heritage, resilience, and the symbiotic bond between India’s indigenous communities and their ancestral lands. Continuing to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage with impactful storytelling, the docuseries, produced in collaboration with Edstead and Dentsu Sports and Entertainment, journeys through Northeast India to showcase powerful stories of heritage, resilience, identity, and the enduring relationship between communities and the land they call home. Premiering on JioHotstar on 3 July 2026, ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’ follows acclaimed actor Adarsh Gourav as he journeys across the lives, traditions, and oral histories of indigenous communities in Northeast India, including the Angami of Nagaland, the Biate and Mising of Assam, the Khasi of Meghalaya, and the Sherdukpen of Arunachal Pradesh. Through music, folklore, craftsmanship, and everyday experiences, the series brings to light narratives that have long flourished within these communities and now find a wider audience. Air India Express has made culture as integral to the brand as connectivity. With its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, the airline has consistently celebrated art and heritage with impactful platforms across travel, literature, art, festivals, and storytelling. From its signature aircraft tail art, featuring indigenous art and regional crafts and textiles to partnerships with the Hornbill Festival, the ‘Tales of India Literary Award’, the unique Flying Canvas aeroplane, and now ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’, the airline connects travellers not just with destinations, but also with the stories, traditions, and people that define them. Northeast India finds proud representation across the airline’s fleet liveries, through weaving traditions and patterns such as Tsüngkotepsü from Nagaland, Akyobi, Saphee Lanphee and Moirang Phee from Manipur, Gamosa and Jaapi from Assam, Khneng from Meghalaya, and Puanchei from Mizoram, celebrating the spirit of India in flight. Speaking on the collaboration, Siddhartha Butalia, Chief Marketing Officer, Air India Express, said, “Travel, at its inherent best, is transformative, offering the opportunity to discover, experience and reshape our worldview. The regions of Northeast India hold some of the most profound stories of our time – narratives of heritage, harmony and the intrinsic bond between indigenous peoples and their land. Our docuseries, ‘Voices of the Land’ offers more than a window into these lives; it serves as a bridge and an invitation to look beyond the frenetic horizons of the familiar to the enduring wisdom of communities that have lived with their environment in harmony for generations.” Reflecting on his journey through Northeast India for the series, actor Adarsh Gourav said, “Voices of the Land has been one of the most eye-opening experiences for me as a storyteller. I was constantly in awe of the knowledge these communities had of their surroundings; the plants, the animals, and everything the land provides. The series feels especially meaningful because it’s not just about protecting nature, but also preserving the traditions and wisdom of people who have lived in harmony with it for generations. I’m grateful to be part of this documentary and help bring these stories and voices to a larger audience.” Speaking about the vision behind the series, Simantini Ghosh, National Head – Dentsu Sports and Entertainment India, said “At Dentsu Sports and Entertainment, we believe the most powerful stories are often the ones waiting to be heard. The insight behind Voices of the Land emerged from the intersection of culture and connectivity – the understanding that while India is home to extraordinary indigenous traditions and wisdom, many of these stories remain beyond the reach of mainstream audiences. Air India Express, through its strong network and deep connection to the Northeast, became a natural enabler of this vision, helping bridge distances and bring us closer to communities whose voices deserve a wider platform. We are deeply grateful to Air India Express for their faith in our vision and partnership in making these journeys possible, and to Edstead for bringing the series to life with exceptional craft, sensitivity, and cinematic excellence. Voices of the Land is a reflection of how Dentsu Sports and  Entertainment continues to redefine storytelling—creating culturally relevant narratives that move beyond conventional formats to spark deeper connections, celebrate diverse perspectives, and resonate with audiences in meaningful ways.” Sharing his experience from the shoot, Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Founder at Edstead, said, “This series is our attempt to celebrate voices that deserve to be heard more widely. The region’s landscapes and cultural richness add a rare depth to the storytelling. We’re also delighted to collaborate with Adarsh Gourav, his curiosity, authenticity, and natural ease with people made him the perfect fit for this journey.” Air India Express continues to strengthen connectivity to and from the Northeast, operating over 290 weekly flights from Agartala, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati, and Imphal. Reinforcing its commitment to the region, the airline recently announced the first-ever direct flights connecting Northeast India with West Asia, with services from Guwahati to Abu Dhabi and Dubai commencing this August. As connectivity expands, Air India Express continues to complement its growing network with initiatives that celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage and inspire more travellers to discover its people, traditions, and destinations.