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Nepal Gen Z protests lead to travel chaos, Bengal’s Durga Puja takes heavy hit

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The wave of student and youth protests in Nepal has snowballed into a major crisis, crippling normal life in Kathmandu and spilling across the border to India’s tourism sector.

The agitation began as a campaign against corruption but escalated sharply after the government imposed a social media ban, triggering violent clashes in the capital.

Police opened fire on demonstrators, leaving at least 19 dead, which further fuelled public anger. Under mounting pressure, the Nepalese government was forced to lift the ban and issue a late-night statement appealing for calm.

The unrest has cast a shadow over India’s Durga Puja holiday season, particularly in West Bengal, where Nepal is a popular tourist destination. Travel operators reported mass cancellations within hours of the violence breaking out.

“Over a hundred bookings were cancelled as soon as news of the unrest spread,” said Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN). He added that cross-border traders, too, face mounting financial losses.

At border checkposts, drivers waiting for passengers have been left stranded after the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) issued a high alert, halting all vehicle crossings. Some locals have even expressed intent to join the protests, with one resident declaring, “The Gorkhas are not afraid.”

For many holidaymakers, the situation has thrown plans into disarray. Suman Ghosh, a banker from Kolkata, said he had already booked air tickets and hotels for his family but was now considering cancelling the trip.

“The prevailing situation is not safe for my family. I don’t know whether I will get my refund. My travel agent hasn’t responded,” he said.

Industry voices warn of deep losses during what is usually a peak travel period. Anil Punjabi, a member of the National Committee of the Travel Agents Federation of India, called the developments “disastrous for the tourism industry”, noting that tourism is “the first to be hit and the last to cure”.

He said Bengal typically sends 12,000 to 15,000 tourists to Nepal every Puja season, each spending around Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000, but this year most are now seeking refunds or scrambling for alternatives.

The mood across the travel sector remains bleak, with operators ruling out recovery during the festive season. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced concern over the turmoil in Nepal and its impact on border districts, while stating that the Centre has yet to reach out to her government.

She urged residents to maintain peace along the border as uncertainty lingers over the neighbouring country.

– Ends

Published By:

Nakul Ahuja

Published On:

Sep 10, 2025



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Courchevel to bring the French Alps to India with four-city roadshow

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Courchevel 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.



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India expands fast track immigration program to 13 airports, streamlining travel for citizens and OCI holders | India News

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Launching the ‘fast track immigration – trusted traveller program’ (FTI-TTP) — which enables faster immigration of pre-verified flyers through automated e-gates — at five more international airports in the country, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday suggested that its coverage be maximised by enabling resident Indians and overseas citizens of India (OCI) to sign up for FTI-TTP at the state of issuing of passports or OCI cards itself.With the inclusion of Lucknow, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli and Kozhikode international airports, the total number of airports covered under the program has risen to 13. First launched at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in June 2022, the program had added seven more airports — covering Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Ahmedabad — in January this year. Shah said the facility will be available at the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports as well. Addressing the FTI-TTP inauguration event at five airports through video-conference, Shah said around 3 lakh persons had registered under the program and over 2.6 lakh travellers, both inbound and outbound, had availed of it, enabling them to clear immigration in as little as 30 seconds and with no long queues or manual checks. “The next phase of the effort to enhance passenger convenience by integrating Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of ‘speed, scale, and scope’ into the FTI-TTP is starting from today,” he said, adding that the program introduces foreign travellers to the positive changes taking place in India. Drawing attention to the 60% increase in international passenger traffic over the past 11 years of Modi govt — from a little over 5 crore in 2014 to 8.1 crore in 2024 — Shah said the figure of 2.6 lakh who have availed of the FTI-TTP facility is too small, leaving tremendous scope to maximise its coverage. Stating that everyone who has availed of the program has voiced appreciation, the home minister said “our goal should be to ensure that every Indian citizen and every OCI cardholder takes advantage of this facility”.“To achieve this, I request that when issuing passports and OCI cards, we can also conduct this registration (under FTI-TTP), so that people don’t have to come twice for fingerprinting or document verification. Whenever they travel, they can simply use their passport. I think we must further explore the technological possibilities to maximize the number of people who can take advantage of this program,” he added.





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Pickyourtrail expands omnichannel presence across India with 3 stores

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Pickyourtrail has announced the launch of three new offline stores across Chennai, Kochi, and Vapi this month. This expansion marks another milestone in the brand’s omnichannel journey, seamlessly blending digital convenience with the trust of in-person consultations. With these additions, Pickyourtrail moves closer to its vision of opening 50+ stores across India in the next 12–18 months, making personalised international holidays more accessible to travellers nationwide.

A recent BCG report highlights India as one of the fastest-growing global travel markets, with domestic leisure travel expected to grow at 12% annually until 2040, and international travel at 10%. This surge is driven by Millennials and Gen Z, who are prioritising discovery, personalisation, and hybrid planning journeys that combine AI tools with human expertise. Reflecting this trend, Pickyourtrail has recorded a 23% rise in hybrid bookings, with such customers spending 12% more on trips, opting for longer stays, and showing stronger repeat and referral behaviour.

Anchored in its proprietary AI-driven platform, the brand’s omnichannel strategy has already reduced decision fatigue by 20% for travellers. Its growing network of offline stores is designed to complement this digital backbone, providing reassurance through physical touchpoints. The company’s stores have seen a 3–4% lift in conversions in the past six months, reinforcing the need for high-trust, human-led experiences in international travel planning.

“With every new store, we see not just more walk-ins and conversions, but also a stronger sense of confidence among customers,” said Hari Ganapathy, CEO & Co-founder of Pickyourtrail. “International holidays are big decisions for families, and our stores help bridge the gap between aspiration and action by offering personal assurance alongside digital convenience.”

He added, “India is at a turning point in the way it travels. Younger explorers want flexibility, not friction, and our omnichannel approach is designed around that insight. Whether customers start online and finish in-store, or vice versa, our goal is to provide the same level of care and clarity at every stage.”

As India’s travel landscape grows more aspirational and experience-driven, Pickyourtrail continues to double down on its mission of making world-class, customised holidays accessible to more Indians. Several new store launches are already planned for the coming quarter, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to shaping the future of travel through a perfect balance of technology and human touch.



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