Connect with us

BUSINESS

Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 travel surge by 68 % – The Times of India

Published

on

Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 travel surge by 68 % – The Times of India


MUMBAI: Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 have witnessed an unprecedented 68% increase compared to the previous year, according to recent data from visa processing platform Atlys. This dramatic surge reflects a fundamental shift in how Indians view international travel, with vacation plans becoming a lifestyle priority rather than a luxury, it said.
The platform reports that Schengen countries, the United States, and the UAE are emerging as the most sought-after destinations for Summer 2025, based on early booking trends. This follows a strong 45.5% year-over-year increase in visa applications during 2024, with destinations like Dubai, Egypt, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia seeing growth rates between 22% and 51%.
“We’re witnessing a remarkable transformation in travel patterns,” said an Atlys spokesperson. “The surge isn’t just about numbers – it’s about Indians actively seeking diverse cultural experiences and making international travel an integral part of their lives.”
Generation Z travelers are leading this travel renaissance, showing particular interest in experience-focused journeys and shorter stays. Indonesia, Egypt, and Japan rank as top choices among young travelers looking for immersive cultural experiences, the company said.
A notable trend emerging for Summer 2025 is the rise of first-time international travelers choosing destinations with simplified visa procedures. “We’re seeing increasing interest in countries that offer streamlined visa processes, making international travel more accessible to first-time explorers,” the Atlys spokesperson noted.
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations
For Indian travelers seeking hassle-free international experiences, several destinations offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. Countries like Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Azerbaijan have become increasingly popular among first-time travelers due to their accessible entry requirements and rich cultural offerings. These destinations provide an excellent starting point for those new to international travel, combining ease of access with unique cultural experiences.
Another significant trend identified by Atlys is the growing popularity of multi-country summer getaways. Travelers are increasingly utilizing Schengen visas to explore multiple European destinations in single trips, with France, Spain, and Italy being popular combinations. This approach represents a more strategic and cost-effective way to maximize international travel experiences.
The rise in multi-country itineraries shows that Indian travelers are becoming more sophisticated in their travel planning, it said. They’re looking to optimize their visa approvals and travel budgets by covering multiple destinations in one journey.
The data suggests that the post-pandemic desire to explore, combined with a growing middle class and increased accessibility to international travel, has created a robust outlook for the 2025 summer travel season. The trend indicates a broader shift in Indian society, where international travel is increasingly viewed as an essential aspect of modern lifestyle rather than an occasional indulgence.
“It’s remarkable to witness how travel has become an integral part of people’s lives. We’re seeing a surge not only in the number of applications but also in the diversity of destinations Indians are curious about,” says Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys. “This uptick reflects a collective desire to explore cultures, try new experiences, and make the most of their vacation time. Whether it’s seasoned adventurers checking off bucket-list countries or first-time explorers seeking convenience and affordability, it’s clear that travel is evolving into a true lifestyle priority.”
With 2024’s strong visa application figures serving as a benchmark, the summer of 2025 is positioned to be a landmark period for Indian international travel, driven by a combination of cultural curiosity, strategic planning, and improved global mobility options.





Source link

BUSINESS

LIC to expedite claim settlements of Pahalgam terror victims

Published

on

HC closes plea to clean water channel that passes through reserve forest


Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Thursday (April 24, 2025) announced that it will expedite claim settlements of Pahalgam terror attack victims in an effort to provide financial relief to their families.

Expressing deep grief over the death of innocent citizens in the terrorist attack, CEO and MD Siddharta Mohanty said LIC has decided to offer concessions to mitigate the hardships of the claimants.

In lieu of death certificates, any evidence in government records of death of the policyholder due to the terrorist attack or any compensation paid by the Union or State governments will be accepted as proof of death. All efforts will be taken to ensure that the claimants are reached out to and claims settled expeditiously to the affected families,” he said in a release.

For assistance, the claimants may contact the nearest LIC branch, division, or customer zones. They may also call LIC call centre at 022 68276827, the company said.

Insurance aggregator Policybazaar said it would like to offer a job to a family member in any of the Policybazaar or Paisabazaar offices located across India or sponsor a child’s education for every impacted Indian family in Pahalgam. “It is a very small gesture towards creating a social security cover for these families,” co-founder Alok Bansal said in a social media post.



Source link

Continue Reading

BUSINESS

Like Voda Idea, now Airtel looks to convert govt’s statutory debt with equity swap – Times of India

Published

on

Like Voda Idea, now Airtel looks to convert govt’s statutory debt with equity swap – Times of India


NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Bharti Airtel is understood to have approached the govt for swapping its statutory dues with equity, something that has been done in the case of beleaguered Vodafone Idea.The company is understood to have outstanding govt payment dues of over Rs 70,000 crore, including Rs 40,000 crore of AGR dues.
Sources said that Airtel believes that the measure will help it conserve cash, while also enabling the govt to be a part of a fast-growing enterprise which carries prospects of a growth in share price and resultant valuations. “A proposal to this effect is understood to have been submitted to the department of telecom,” a source said.
Airtel has not officially commented on the matter as yet.
The formula to swap the outstanding statutory payment dues with equity had been initiated by the department of telecom to help the industry, particularly loss-making Vodafone Idea tide over the financial challenges and continue as a going concern.
Airtel’s current market cap is around Rs 10.5 lakh crore, as per the details on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company will need to transfer around 6% equity to the govt to clear its statutory dues. Shares of Airtel closed the day at Rs 1,845 on the BSE, down 2%.
Market analysts believe that govt has “a chance of realising positive returns” from the Airtel equity, considering that the company has been growing in profitability. This will be unlike Vodafone Idea where the value of its stake value has so far only fetched negative returns with the company’s scrip remaining below Rs 10 for most of the period of govt’s holding.
Govt had converted the Voda Idea statutory debt into equity at a price of Rs 10 per share, which is the face value. The current price of the company’s share is Rs 8, down one per cent at close on Thursday.





Source link

Continue Reading

BUSINESS

ACC Q4 profit declines 20.4% to ₹751 crore, revenue up 12.7% to ₹5,991 crore

Published

on

HC closes plea to clean water channel that passes through reserve forest


Cement maker ACC Ltd on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) reported a 20.4% decline in consolidated net profit to ₹751.04 crore during the March quarter.

The company had posted a profit of ₹943.39 crore in the year-ago period, according to a regulatory filing from ACC, which is now a part of Adani Cement.

Its revenue from operations was at ₹5,991.67 crore, up 12.7% in the March quarter. It was at ₹5,316.75 crore in the corresponding period a year ago.

ACC’s total expenses in the March quarter were at ₹5,514,82 crore, up 13.11%.

During the March quarter, ACC’s revenue from the cement business was at ₹5,685.53 crore, up 11.14%.

During the quarter, ACC reported a sales volume of 11.9 million tonnes, reporting a growth of 14%, which, according to the Adani group firm is the “highest-ever sales volume in a quarter” for the company.

Similarly, its revenue from ready mix concrete was at ₹419.92 crore, up 32.12% in the March quarter.

The total income of ACC, which includes other income, was at ₹6,066.52 crore, up 12% in the March quarter of FY25. According to the company, this is the “highest-ever quarterly revenue”.

For the financial year ended on March 31, 2025, ACC’s net profit was at ₹2,402.27 crore, up 2.87%.

Similarly, in FY25, ACC’s total income was at ₹22,834.74 crore, up 11.65%. It was at ₹20,451.77 crore a year before.

Commenting on results, Whole-Time Director & CEO Vinod Bahety said, “This year has been marked by strategic milestones that reinforce our position as a leader in the Indian cement industry. Our capacity expansion initiatives, including the commissioning of new grinding units supported by debottlenecking and modernisation, are aligned with growing infrastructure and booming demand of the nation.”

The board of ACC has approved a dividend of ₹7.50 per equity share having a face value of ₹10 each fully paid-up for 2024-25, which, according to the company, is in the context of the ongoing capex and growth plans.

Over the outlook, ACC said, “The growth is anticipated to range of 7-8% for the coming fiscal, driven by ongoing consumption demand in the housing and infrastructure segments, as well as the favourable impact of the pro-infra and housing Budget 2025.”

Cement consumption grew 8% during Q4 FY25, marginally higher as compared to 7% in the previous quarter. The increase in demand was driven by a pick-up in construction activities, improvement in rural demand, traction in the real estate sector, and increased government spending on infrastructure and construction activities.

“As per the growth trends observed in Q3 and Q4 FY25, it is projected that cement demand during FY26 will continue to benefit from the momentum gained by government spending on infrastructure and construction activities,” it said.

Shares of ACC Ltd on Wednesday settled at ₹2,068 on the BSE, up 0.79% from the previous close.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Republic Diary. All rights reserved.