Air India has announced a limited-time promotional sale offering attractive fares for Business Class and Premium Economy travel on select short-haul international routes. The offer presents travellers with an opportunity to plan holidays across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East while enjoying the enhanced comfort of Air India’s premium cabins.

Under the sale, all-inclusive Premium Economy round-trip fares start from INR 13,300, while Business Class fares begin at INR 34,400. Routes on offer include popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kathmandu, Colombo, and Male, operated by aircraft featuring new or upgraded three-class cabin interiors.

Travellers booking via Air India’s website or mobile app will enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings through promotional codes. Discounts include up to INR 2,400 per passenger with promo code FLYAI and up to INR 2,500 per passenger with Visa card payments using VISAFLY. The sale is valid for bookings made 2–7 September 2025, with travel permitted until 31 March 2026. Exclusively on 7 September, the offer will only be available via Air India’s digital platforms.

Visa cardholders can also avail of exclusive discounts:

• One-way international tickets – up to INR 1,500 off
• Round-trip international tickets – up to INR 2,500 off

The limited-period offer is available for bookings from 2-7 September 2025 for travel until 31 March 2026. Bookings under the sale will be available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, customer contact centre, and through travel agents. However, the sale is exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app on 7 September 2025.

As part of its ongoing fleet transformation, Air India now offers upgraded Business Class and Premium Economy cabins on 16 short-haul international routes, ensuring travellers enjoy a world-class experience. These include flights to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Kathmandu that are now operated by new, upgraded or retrofitted aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration, providing a world-class flying experience to travellers.

ITB India 2025, a leading B2B travel trade show organised by Messe Berlin, officially opened today in Mumbai, marking its third in-person edition as a premier B2B trade show and conference for the travel industry.

In a press statement, the organisers say that under the theme The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targetted Growth, the event brings together a global gathering of over 400 exhibitors, 600 high-caliber buyers and expects upwards of 8,000 trade visitors from sectors including MICE, leisure, corporate and travel technology.

The statement adds that the three-day event is co-located with MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, focussing on the rising demand for experience-driven travel with emphasis on wellness, culture, cinematic storytelling and adventure tourism.

The organisers say that Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh have been named the Official Partner States of ITB India 2025, showcasing their diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

It adds that these states are positioned as prime destinations offering authentic and immersive travel experiences beyond the usual tourist trails.

According to the statement, the exhibition features wide international participation across the entire tourism value chain. Key exhibitors include national tourism organizations, top MICE companies, online travel agencies, hospitality brands, travel tech providers and travel agents. Notable exhibitors such as Wonderful Indonesia, Visit Northern Finland, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Oman, and several others underline the event’s global scope and comprehensive market reach.

The organisers say that running alongside the trade show is the ITB India Conference 2025, featuring more than 40 sessions across four curated tracks, Knowledge Theatre, MICE & Corporate, Travel Tech and Experiential Travel. Industry leaders will discuss India’s growing outbound travel market, innovations in MICE and corporate travel, the transformative role of AI and analytics in travel tech, and the shift towards experiential and purpose-driven travel.

“ITB India 2025 demonstrates the vitality of the Indian and South Asian travel markets, serving as an essential platform for global engagement and collaboration. This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on experience-led travel while fostering fresh opportunities for dialogue, innovation and partnerships across MICE, Corporate, Leisure and Travel Technology. We are delighted to welcome our Official Partner States, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, whose participation brings India’s diversity and cultural depth to the forefront, further cementing ITB India’s position as a gateway to the future of travel,” says Darren Seah, Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific and organiser of ITB India, MICE Show India and Travel Tech India.

This Asian destination, known for its rich culture, ancient temples and cutting-edge technology, is becoming increasingly popular among Indian travellers. As per Agoda, a leading digital platform for travel, Indians are showing increasing interest in travelling to this Asian country, with data revealing a 68% year-on-year increase in searches. Which nation are we referring to? Read on! 

A Must-Visit Asian Destination For Indian Travellers

Japan, with its stunning views, ancient temples, rich culture and reputation for safety, has always been a favourite among travellers worldwide. But according to a report by Agoda, a leading travel platform, interest from India has grown significantly too. Its latest data shows that Japan is emerging as a top choice for Indian travellers, with searches rising by 68% between May and August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Among the most searched destinations, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto topped the list, recording increases of 59%, 158% and 53% respectively. Osaka stood out with the highest percentage, thanks to its growing popularity and its proximity to major attractions such as Universal Studios Japan and Nara Deer Park.

Also Read: Japan Has A New Train Restaurant On An Abandoned Railway Line, Serving Omurice, Burgers & More

Beyond The Big Three Cities

Beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Agoda’s data also revealed a rise in searches for other Japanese destinations by Indian travellers. Fujikawaguchiko (+36%) and Sapporo (+18%) are becoming more popular, along with Hakone (+46%), Okinawa (+47%), Fukuoka (+14%), Yokohama (+20%) and Nagoya (+41%), all of which made it to the top ten. These cities are known for their scenic landscapes and unique leisure experiences.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands, said, “Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travellers like never before. What we are seeing is that travellers are not only choosing traditional hotspots like Tokyo but are also exploring beyond, with Osaka and other cities quickly gaining popularity. Families can enjoy theme parks and kid-friendly attractions, couples can chase romantic escapes in Kyoto and Hakone, while groups of friends can opt for leisure getaways in places like Okinawa. At Agoda, we’re making it easier to plan these journeys end-to-end, with convenient choices for flights, stays, and curated experiences across Japan.”

Also Read: Why Has Japan Released A Scary AI Video Of Mount Fuji Erupting?

Agoda’s latest report suggests that Japan is establishing itself as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers. From cultural experiences and ancient temples to breathtaking landscapes and cuisine, the country offers everything a traveller dreams of.

Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied 

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.

First Published: September 02, 2025 3:24 PM