South African Tourism is set to launch the fifth edition of its flagship Corporate Think Tank. The series will be hosted in four key hubs such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata on 19th September 2025, 07th November 2025, 12th December 2025, and 30th January 2026 respectively. Aimed at positioning the Rainbow Nation as a leading destination for global business events, the Corporate Think Tank brings together key industry leaders and corporate decision makers to explore business growth, evolving travel demands, and the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

Led by Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism, the event will connect with Indian corporates across key sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. By expanding its focus beyond traditional metro markets, the initiative aims to tap new emerging business hubs like Chennai and Kolkata along with other cities, fostering greater accessibility and inclusivity. The initiative will highlight South Africa’s transformation into a modern, experiential destination that seamlessly blends world-class business infrastructure with leisure opportunities. Discussions will focus on evolving market trends such as digital transformation, sustainability, and innovative event strategies, while emphasizing the country’s capability to host large-scale conferences, incentive travel programs, and world-class corporate meetings. Further, catering to emerging preferences like sustainability-focused initiatives, family-inclusive business trips, and team-building engagement programs.

Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism said, “India plays a pivotal role in our MICE strategy as one of the top contributors to arrivals in South Africa. We are excited to bring the fifth edition of Corporate Think Tank to India, where we will engage corporate leaders and decision-makers to showcase South Africa’s incredible potential as a business event destination. This 2025 initiative underscores our vision of establishing the Rainbow Nation as the premier MICE destination by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, exceptional experiences, and cost-effective solutions. By consistently engaging with India’s corporate community, we aim to set new benchmarks for MICE travel and drive sustained growth in this thriving segment.”

Building on the success of previous editions, South African Tourism’s 2025 Corporate Think Tank highlights the dynamic growth of India’s corporate travel landscape and its critical role in South Africa’s MICE sector. In 2024, India emerged as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing source markets for MICE travel, contributing 20.2% of overall MICE arrivals. Business and MICE travellers collectively accounted for nearly half (49.6%) of Indian arrivals, underscoring the significant impact of this segment on South Africa’s tourism industry.

With Corporate Think Tank 2025, South African Tourism aims to build on this momentum and drive strong growth in MICE arrivals from India. As part of its broader strategy to create innovative platforms that inspire and engage the Indian corporate travel community, the initiative will spotlight South Africa as both a business-ready destination and a vibrant hub of culture and experiences.

India, September 2025 – Courchevel, the distinguished jewel of the French Alps, is set to showcase its world of alpine luxury to India through an exclusive four-city roadshow in collaboration with One Rep Global.

The highly anticipated showcase will begin in Bangalore on September 15, travel to Ahmedabad on September 16, continue to New Delhi on September 18, and conclude in Mumbai on September 19.

Over the course of the week, India’s leading luxury travel advisors and trade professionals will be introduced to Courchevel’s finest experiences—from world-class skiing on the slopes of Les 3 Vallées and Michelin-starred gastronomy to luxury chalets, alpine events, and the cultural richness that has long defined Courchevel as a global luxury destination

Alexia Laine, Director, Courchevel Tourisme, shared: “India is an incredibly important market for us, and we are delighted to return with a stronger presence across four key cities. Courchevel offers an unmatched combination of thrilling alpine adventure and world-class luxury. For Indian travellers seeking refined experiences with a touch of cultural authenticity, Courchevel represents the very best of the French Alps.”

The roadshow is being curated by One Rep Global, India’s leading sales and marketing representation company for luxury hospitality and travel.

Hemant Mediratta, Founder & CEO of One Rep Global, said: “At One Rep Global, we are committed to connecting India’s discerning travellers with the world’s most exceptional destinations. Courchevel is a perfect example of luxury that goes beyond indulgence—it is about experiences, authenticity, and connections. This roadshow provides an invaluable opportunity for India’s luxury travel community to engage deeply with the destination.”

Loveleen Arun, Advisory Board Member of One Rep Global and Founder of Panache World, commented: “Indian travellers today are evolving rapidly in their preferences—they want destinations that not only deliver luxury but also embody a sense of place and uniqueness. Courchevel

offers exactly this—a rare harmony of elegance, culture, gastronomy, and adventure. We are delighted to be a part of this initiative to bring Courchevel closer to the Indian market.”

With its timeless allure, Courchevel continues to define haute montagne living, where glamour, gastronomy, and alpine adventure come together. Celebrating 80 years of setting the standard for luxury alpine experiences, 2026 marks a special milestone in Courchevel’s storied history. This exclusive roadshow is a gateway for Indian travellers to discover why Courchevel remains one of the world’s most coveted luxury destinations.

Pilgrimage travel is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of India’s tourism industry, with accommodation bookings across 56 destinations rising by 19% in FY 2024-25, according to MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25 report.

The study highlights that spiritual journeys are no longer limited to traditional centres alone. While Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar, and Tirupati continue to see strong demand, newer destinations such as Khatushyam Ji in Rajasthan, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, and Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu are also witnessing double-digit growth. In fact, 34 destinations recorded double-digit growth, and 15 saw bookings rise by more than 25%, pointing to broad-based momentum.

Short, purpose-driven travel dominates

The report notes that more than half (53%) of all pilgrimage travellers opted for single-night visits, compared to 45% in leisure travel. Two-night stays accounted for 31%, while longer stays of four nights or more made up less than 5% of bookings. “Pilgrimage travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country,” said Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.

Interestingly, nearly two in three pilgrimage bookings were made within six days of departure, underlining the last-minute booking behaviour typical of Indian travellers.

Premium stays and group travel on the rise

While budget rooms priced under Rs 4,500 accounted for the bulk of bookings, demand for premium accommodation is rising sharply. Bookings in the Rs 7,000–10,000 range grew by 24%, while those above Rs 10,000 were up 23%. At the same time, group travel has a stronger presence in pilgrimage, making up 47% of trips compared to 38.9% in leisure destinations.

The surge in demand has spurred a wave of new hotels, homestays, and apartments, with more than a third of accommodation supply in pilgrimage destinations added in the past three years. Premium supply has also grown rapidly, with 63% of available upscale rooms launched during this period.