Travel Trends
AI boom boosts Nvidia despite ‘geopolitical issues’
Computer-chip designer Nvidia has been boosted by big tech firms keen to expand their AI capabilities, despite dealing with US and China tensions.
On Wednesday it reported $46.7bn revenue (£34.6bn) for the second three months of the year, a 56% surge from the same period in 2024.
But Nvidia, which has been caught in the crossfire of a trade war between the US and China, said it “continued to work through geopolitical issues” and its shares fell in after-hours trading.
The company has had to navigate the Trump administration’s fast-changing policies aimed at ensuring the US remains ahead in AI development.
Nvidia’s sophisticated chips have been an important part of the AI boom.
On Wednesday it said demand for its products remains strong, especially from big tech firms including Instagram-owner Meta, and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, as they race to build-out AI.
“The AI race is now on,” said Nvidia boss Jensen Huang in a call with analysts following the report’s release, saying spending from four big tech firms had doubled to $600bn per year.
“Over time, you would think that artificial intelligence would… accelerate GDP growth,” Huang said. “Our contribution to that is a large part of the AI infrastructure.”
The company’s revenue from data centres surged by 56% to $41.1bn, even as it fell slightly short of analysts’ expectations.
In July, Nvidia became the world’s first $4trn company.
The Santa Clara, California-based designer of artificial intelligence (AI) chips said revenue in the current quarter would probably grow to $54bn, topping the expectations of Wall Street analysts.
But Nvidia remains exposed to geopolitical tensions between the US and China.
The company announced in July that it would resume sales of its high-end artificial intelligence chips to China.
The move came after Huang successfully lobbied the Trump administration to reverse its ban on the sale of the company’s H20 chips, developed specifically for the Chinese market.
The administration had imposed the ban amid worries that the chips might benefit the Chinese military, in addition to AI developers based in the country.
On Wednesday, executives said that in late July, the US government had started reviewing licenses for sales of H20 chips designed specifically for Chinese customers.
But the company added that it had not shipped any H20s, despite some China-based customers receiving those licenses in recent weeks.
The US government is expecting to get 15% of the revenue generated from licensed H20 sales.
Nvidia did not include H20 in its outlook for the current quarter and said it was also lobbying the US government to approve the sale of its Blackwell ships to China, the largest market for chips.
In the meantime, analysts say, China is cultivating competition in the sector that Nvidia currently dominates.
“US export restrictions are fuelling domestic chipmaking in China,” said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne after the report’s release.
He said the question now is whether Nvidia’s “dive into robotics” will help it sustain its role as “the bellwether of the AI economy”.
INDIA, August 28, 2025: For Indian travellers, holidays are no longer just an escape but a source of joy, wellbeing and renewal. With 66%* seeking travel to boost their mood and 58%* opting for short domestic trips this year followed by short international trips (36%*), From perennial regional favourites to short-haul getaways, Booking.com’s latest search trendsspotlights where Indian travellers were dreaming of jetting off to in H1 2025.
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, “The evolving mindset of Indian travellers highlights a fascinating mix of global curiosity and local pride. Whether it’s a short-haul international break closer to home or a quick domestic escape, we’re seeing Indians choose destinations that align with their lifestyle aspirations, wellness goals and cultural curiosity. This shift underlines the opportunity ahead, with 84% of Indian travellers feeling optimistic about travel in 2025, we at Booking.com remain committed to supporting this momentum by making it easier for travellers to book every element of their journey, from stays and flights to attractions and transport, all in one seamless experience.”
From Cities to Countryside: Where Indians Were Headed
Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi lead the list of most-searched domestic destinations driven by a combination of business travel, visiting friends and family and the increasing desire for quick, accessible weekend getaways. Beyond urban centers, the data highlights a growing interest in India’s leisure hotspots. Destinations such as Ooty, Rishikesh, Lonavala, Jaipur and Puducherry continue to be popular, with Rishikesh and Puducherry showing a 25%** y-o-y growth in accommodation searches with a rising interest among travellers in experiences centered on wellness, nature and cultural immersion.
Top searched domestic destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellersbetween Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)**
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Ooty
- Rishikesh
- Chennai
- Lonavala
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Puducherry
APAC Hotspots Continue to Attract Indian Travellers
On the international front, Dubai takes the top spot as the most-searched destination for Indian travellers, with a 62%** y-o-y increase in searches. Tokyo has emerged among the top 5 most searched international destinations, witnessing a 90%** rise in accommodation search during the first half of the year, driven by its unique blend of seasonal attractions and rich cultural experiences. Intra-regional travel within Asia-Pacific is also seeing steady momentum with 8 out of the 10 top searched destinations within the region. Destinations like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket and Bali all rank among the list, highlighting the enduring appeal of short-haul, culturally rich and visa-friendly getaways.
Top searched international destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellersbetween Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)**
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- London
- Tokyo
- Paris
- Kuala Lumpur
- Phuket
- Bali
- Abu Dhabi
The Broader APAC Context
Indian travel patterns align with a broader regional trend of balancing local getaways with international adventures in H1 2025.***
●Japan remains top of mind for travellers across APAC, attracting strong interest both internationally and domestically. South Korea and Thailand follow closely, continuing to be among the region’s most sought-after destinations.
●Intra-regional travel is on the rise reflecting a balance between local pride and international curiosity. Even as APAC travellers explore regional options, homegrown destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Tokyo hold the top spots in their respective markets.
●The data further underscores APAC’s persistent appetite for intra-regional travel. All but one of the top ten most searched destinations per market were located within APAC – the exceptions being London and Paris, which broke into India’s and Hong Kong’s list. For most, proximity, cultural familiarity and convenience continued to shape travel decisions.
HRI Hospitality announced three new appointments:
Tammy Wade has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at both Hyatt Place Indianapolis and Hyatt House Indianapolis. With 30+ years of experience in hospitality sales and business, Tammy brings strong marketing strategies, project management tactics, established relationships and strategic thinking/negotiation [CS1] skills to her new role at Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Indianapolis. Wade joins the team from Hospitality Ventures Management Group where she advanced through multiple sales roles to become the Area Director of Sales Marketing. Prior to that, Wade spent six years as the Senior Sales Manager at Hilton Worldwide. With such vast experience, Wade is perfectly poised to elevate guest experiences at both properties.
Alexandra Cocco has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue. With 13+ years of hospitality sales experience in New Orleans, Alexandra is highly skilled and tactical throughout all aspects of maximizing revenue and has well-established herself within the local market. Cocco joins Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue from Sage Hospitality Group where she held the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. Prior to that, she served as Sales Manager roles across various local properties including Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Embassy Suites by Hilton and Hotel Indigo.
Marissa Watson has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at The Industrialist Hotel. With nearly a decade of experience in hotel and hospitality management, Marissa is a leader in creating, leading and inspiring teams. Watson joins The Industrialist Hotel from SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Pittsburgh where she spent time as Director of Sales & Marketing before being promoted to Operations Manager. Prior to that, Watson gained experience as General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Butler, PA and Assistant General Manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites/Holiday Inn Express in Cranberry Township, PA. With this experience, Watson is perfectly positioned to drive revenue, manage key relationships, and identify new target markets as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Industrialist Hotel.
The article HRI Hospitality hires three new Directors of Sales & Marketing first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
LONDON, UK – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announce that Millat Group has joined its Executive Committee, becoming the first South African private equity firm to take a seat on the Council’s highest governing body, comprised of leaders from across the global Travel & Tourism sector.
Founded in 2016, Millat Group has rapidly established itself as a driving force in African hospitality. The Group is best known for reintroducing the Hyatt brand to South Africa and today is the continent’s largest owner of Hyatt-branded hotels, including Hyatt Regency Cape Town, Hyatt House Sandton, Hyatt House Rosebank, and the recently opened Park Hyatt Johannesburg.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are proud to welcome Millat Group to our Executive Committee. Their leadership in bringing world-class hospitality brands to South Africa, alongside innovative ventures in food services and retail, highlights their ability to connect investment with real impact. Africa is one of the most exciting growth regions for Travel & Tourism, and Millat’s presence on our Executive Committee will bring invaluable perspectives as we work to expand opportunities, foster sustainability, and amplify the continent’s role in the global tourism economy.”
Behind the group’s growth is Hamza Farooqui, Founder and CEO of Millat Group, whose vision has consistently positioned the company at the forefront of African tourism investment. “It is a privilege for Millat to join the WTTC Executive Committee,” Farooqui said.
“This is not just a milestone for our Group, but also for South Africa. Through this opportunity, we want to advocate for greater institutional capital investment into African tourism and hospitality projects, while showcasing the sector’s potential to deliver both growth and sustainable impact.”
By joining WTTC’s Executive Committee, Millat Group will contribute to shaping the Council’s global agenda, supporting initiatives around sustainability, investment, regional growth, and innovation, while strengthening Africa’s voice within the international Travel & Tourism community.
The article Millat Group joins the Executive Committee of WTTC first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
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