Adding to the cultural allure, Japan has been announced as the festival’s partner country. This collaboration celebrates the striking similarity between the cherry blossoms in Meghalaya and those in Japan—a resemblance first noted by the Japanese Ambassador during his visit to Meghalaya in 2023. Visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in Japanese culture through a dedicated stall that showcases traditional heritage and customs.

The tradition of celebrating “Hanami” (Cherry Blossom) dates back over a thousand years in Japan, and the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, launched in 2016, holds the distinction of being the first autumn Cherry Blossom Festival in the world. Since its inception, this unique festival has attracted travellers from across India and beyond. Last year’s edition saw record attendance, with visitors from all over the country and international attendees as well, and this year’s event is expected to be even more spectacular.

The “Year of Legends” theme promises to make this festival an unforgettable experience, combining celebrated artists with cross-cultural connections. In addition to the music, festival-goers can enjoy a range of activities, including fashion shows, cosplay competitions, art installations, food and wine stalls and more. Tickets are now available on BookMyShow and RockskiTickets, setting the stage for a countdown to one of India’s most exceptional festivals. Whether you’re drawn to music, nature, or cultural exploration, Shillong eagerly awaits to celebrate the “Year of Legends” in grand style.

Before joining Mayfair, Gupta was associated with Accor India & South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group and Sahara Airlines, overseeing sales operations across key markets.

With his deep industry knowledge and proven leadership, Gupta is expected to contribute significantly to Mayfair Hotels’ commercial growth and development initiatives.

“Handloom cafe is a crucial step towards empowering women and fostering a safe tourism environment. The cafe will be entirely run by women, from security guards and welcome staff to chefs, receptionists, cashiers and even front office managers. To ensure smooth operations, all women have undergone specialised training at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Bhopal. A women’s group has been registered as ‘Sakhi Saheli Lok Kalyan Sangh’ to manage the cafe,” Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee also revealed that this project will not only provide employment opportunities to these women but also equip them with the necessary skills, confidence and financial independence to improve their quality of life. Additionally, this initiative aligns with the state’s broader mission to promote a safe and inclusive environment for women travellers. This women-run cafe will offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience, showcasing Madhya Pradesh’s rich culture and progressive outlook.

“Germany has a wealth of experiences awaiting Indian travellers. From vibrant cities to stunning landscapes, Germany as a travel destination offers an unparalleled blend of culture, history and entertainment,” said Romit Theophilus, Director, the German National Tourist Office, India.

This successful event paves the way for GNTO India’s upcoming four-city roadshow in November, during which Visit Berlin will collaborate with other German partners to connect with travel agents across India.

While commenting on his appointment, Brancaleoni said, “I am very honoured to join Kempinski Hotels at this exciting point in time. As the company is working on a new global strategy and will be reviving the brand over the coming years, I am more than happy to be part of this journey and to shape the future of this iconic luxury hotel group as we move forward.”

Barbara Muckermann, Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Group, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Massimo, a seasoned tourism leader with an international background and immense strategic expertise. With his in-depth knowledge in Pricing and Revenue Management, Commercial Planning and Operations as well as in Digital Transformation, he will be a great asset to Kempinski in shaping the growth and success as we move into a new era. At the same time, we thank Amanda Elder for her incredible commitment to our company over the past nine years and her outstanding motivational and inspiring leadership. We wish her only the best of success for her future and look forward to welcoming her again as a guest in one of our hotels around the globe.”

“At TIA we are always working to provide best value preposition for our members and this Tourism and Travel Expo will be the appropriate opportunity for them to showcase best of what our Incredible India has to offer and to access a valuable market” – Mukesh Jain, Executive Vice President, TIA.

“This partnership will boost our efforts to get connected with the global academia as we strongly believe that education is the only way to build up a robust foundation of human resources needed for the growth of tourism and hospitality industry” – Puneet Saxena, Vice President (Education), TIA.

EVA Air highlighted its strong travel routes between India and Taiwan, with codeshares and interline options through Singapore and Bangkok. Taiwan aims to broaden its reach and attract both leisure and business travellers from India prior to ITB Mumbai.

Noel Saxena, Taiwan Tourism’s India representative emphasised the growing potential of India’s MICE Market. Taiwan is planning more such events, including another roadshow in Mumbai and a leisure FAM trip to Taiwan for top Indian travel partners.

The primary goal of the roadshow was to strengthen tourism ties between India and Iran. The Iran Tourism Board engaged with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals to establish solid business connections and position Iran as a top travel destination. The roadshow also included collaborations with key organisations such as MTOA, TAAI, TAFI and IATO to boost Iran’s visibility among their members.

Hosseinabadi said, “We are thrilled to present the beauty and historical richness of Iran to the Indian market. This roadshow has provided a unique platform to share Iran’s cultural tapestry, including our historic landmarks and renowned hospitality. We look forward to deepening our partnerships with Indian travel agents and encouraging more Indian travellers to explore the wonders of Iran.”

“I am thrilled to join Udman at such a pivotal time in its journey. The opportunity to contribute to a brand that values both luxury and individuality is truly exciting. I look forward to working closely with the talented team here to further enhance our offerings, ensuring that each guest experience is as memorable and enriching as the next,” said Verma.

While welcoming Verma, Vikaas Gutgutia, Founder and Managing Director, Ferns N Petals said, “I am delighted to welcome Vaibhav to the Udman family. His journey in the hospitality sector and his ability to blend strategic thinking with hands-on leadership will be essential as we embark on this exciting new chapter. With his expertise, I am confident that he will not only maintain the personalised touch our brand is known for but also ensure we are at the forefront of innovation and growth in the hospitality industry.”

Reflecting on the airline’s 45-year journey, Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, expressed pride in the airline’s enduring legacy and said, “Forty-five years is a long time in any industry, but achieving this milestone in the commercial airline sector is an even greater feat. SriLankan Airlines is one of the oldest commercial airlines in this region, and we are incredibly proud of our journey over the past 45 years, despite the regular challenges we have faced. Through it all, SriLankan has remained steadfast in its commitment to our loyal customers and in supporting Sri Lanka through every high and low.”

“On this occasion, it is important to express our gratitude to our people. We owe our successes and resilience to every individual within the airline, both current and past, who has dedicated themselves and made sacrifices for our success. As we celebrate our achievements, we will also focus on our vision for the future, striving to be the airline of choice for travellers seeking an authentic Sri Lankan experience, personified by the warmth and hospitality of our people,” said Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.

SriLankan Airlines offers convenient connections to a global network of 114 destinations across 62 countries, including partnerships with codeshare airlines. The airline’s direct routes cover major cities in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. It operates an all-Airbus fleet, comprising a wide-bodied A330 aircraft, a A321 aircraft, and mid-range A320s.

For further details, visit SriLankan Airlines.