Author: Tourism News live

Hyatt hotels announced its plan to eliminate single-use plastic straws and drink picks. After Sept. 1, 2018, straws and picks will be available on request only, and eco-friendly alternatives will be provided where available. “At Hyatt, we care for people so they can be their best, and this care extends to our communities and to preserving resources for future generations. Eliminating plastic straws and drink picks builds on the environmental sustainability programs we have in place and further drives our global efforts to reduce environmental impact. This is a meaningful step, and our commitment doesn’t stop with straws and drink ... Read more

Qatar Airways said its award-winning Business Class experience, Qsuite, is now available on flights to and from Mumbai and Bengaluru. Patented by Qatar Airways, Qsuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, as well as private cabins for up to four people with privacy panels. The privacy panels can stow away thereby allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them ... Read more

Marriott International has announced that they would be introducing facial recognition at the check-in desk, which is a first in the industry. Marriott has partnered with Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba to trial the technology at two two China properties – the Marriott Hangzhou and the Marriott Sanya. “We are excited to partner with the joint venture yet again to offer an innovative and convenient check-in alternative for Chinese travellers. Marriott International has a track record of embracing cutting-edge technology to create memorable experiences for guests. With technology, our hotel associates can work more efficiently to do what they do best ... Read more

Rock Fort Temple, Tiruchi The tourism development of Rock Fort temple and 5 other spots in Tiruchi under the Smart City proposals has got clearance by the high power committee. The committee, headed by Finance Secretary K Shanmugam, met in Chennai accepted the proposal drafted by the Tiruchirappalli Smart City Limited. A sum of Rs 45.23 crore will be spent for the tourism development plan in the city. Main Guard Gate, Rock Fort temple, Rock Fort temple tank (Teppakulam), War Memorial, Purathana Park, and Municipal Chathiram are the other tourist spots, which have been selected for providing facelift under the Smart City ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: The Hindu With the aim to boost the tourism sector in Tamil Nadu, the state has organized a partnership meet in Hyderabad on Wednesday, 11th July 2018. The state is looking for more tourists from Telangana. Tamil Nadu Tourism Deputy Director Thiru Venugopal said, “We are striving to keep our position in the tourism industry of India and looking for new markets.” Tamil Nadu has been one of the favourite tourist destinations in India, for domestic and foreign tourists and this initiative is targeting to promote less known places in the state and thus attract more tourists. “Telengana ... Read more

A Miniature Govardhan Hill, Mathura Govardhan, one of the key pilgrimage centers in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh, will be developed as a top-notch tourism destination, as informed by Union Minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons. The minister was reviewing the feasibility of six proposals sent by the Uttar Pradesh government.  He declared that the Center government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore as the first installment to develop Govardhan as one of the “finest tourism spots”. As per the Hindu mythology, Govardhana Hill located in Govardhan, is believed to be lifted by Lord Krishna on his little finger ... Read more

Travellers who are yet to decide on summer plans can take advantage of attractive holiday packages to Dubai by simply flying with Emirates. Upon booking, passengers can avail exclusive rates at world-class hotels, enjoy outstanding entertainment and experience theme parks across Dubai, including tickets to some of the city’s world-class shows and attractions. Customers can experience Dubai starting at USD $49 a night, applicable to two guests per room, at Rove Dubai Marina – located in the city’s stylish waterfront district. The package also includes two complimentary tickets to visit Dubai Parks and Resorts – the largest integrated theme park ... Read more

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), the apex association of inbound tour operators, will propose reduction in current e-visa fee as a measure to attract more international tourists to India. IATO said at first, it will take up the proposal with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. This was informed by Pronab Sarkar, President of the Association while addressing the members at their monthly interactive meeting in Delhi. IATO opines that reduction in e-visa fee is important to attract more tourists to meet the targeted 20 million tourist arrivals by 2020. The Association will also ask the Tourism Ministry to ... Read more

താജ്മഹല്‍ സംരക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയില്ലെങ്കില്‍ അടച്ചുപൂട്ടുകയൊ, പൊളിച്ചു നീക്കുകയോ, പുനര്‍നിര്‍മിക്കുകയോ ചെയ്യണമെന്ന് സുപ്രീം കോടതി. താജ്മഹല്‍ സംരക്ഷണത്തില്‍ സര്‍ക്കാറിന്റെ അലംഭാവത്തെ വിമര്‍ശിച്ചുകൊണ്ടാണ് സുപ്രീം കോടതി രംഗത്തെത്തിയത്. പരിസ്ഥിതി പ്രവര്‍ത്തകനായ എം. സി. മേത്ത സമര്‍പ്പിച്ച ഹര്‍ജിയിലാണ് സുപ്രീംകോടതി വിമര്‍ശനം. ചരിത്ര സ്മാരകത്തിന്റെ അറ്റകുറ്റപണി സമയബന്ധിതമായി നിര്‍വഹിക്കുന്നില്ലെന്ന് ഹര്‍ജിയില്‍ ആരോപിച്ചിരുന്നു. പ്രദേശത്തെ വൃത്തിഹീനമായ ചുറ്റുപാടുകളും, വനനശീകരണവും ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നു. പാരീസിലെ ഈഫല്‍ ടവറിനെക്കാള്‍ മനോഹരമാണ് താജ്മഹലെന്നും കോടതി പറഞ്ഞു. എണ്‍പത് ലക്ഷം പേരാണ് ടിവി ടവര്‍ പോലിരിക്കുന്ന ഈഫല്‍ ടവര്‍ സന്ദര്‍ശിക്കാന്‍ പോകുന്നത്, അതിനെക്കാള്‍ എത്രയോ മനോഹരമാണ് നമ്മുടെ താജ്മഹല്‍, ഇത് രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ വിദേശ നാണ്യ പ്രശ്‌നം പരിഹരിക്കും. നിങ്ങളുടെ താല്‍പര്യമില്ലായ്മ രാജ്യത്തിനുണ്ടാക്കുന്ന നഷ്ടം എത്രയെന്ന് അറിയുമോ എന്നും കോടതി ചോദിച്ചു. താജ്മഹലിന് ചുറ്റുമുളള മലിനീകരണത്തിന്റെ കാരണം കണ്ടുപിടിക്കുന്നതിനും, പരിഹാരം കാണുന്നതിനും പ്രത്യേക സമിതിയെ നിയമിക്കാന്‍ കോടതി ഉത്തരവിട്ടു. താജ്മഹല്‍ പരിസരത്ത് വ്യവസായ യൂണിറ്റുകള്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കരുതെന്ന ഉത്തരവ് ലംഘിക്കപ്പെട്ടത് എങ്ങനെയെന്നും വിശദീകരിക്കണം. ഉത്തര്‍പ്രദേശ് സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ ... Read more

Kafue National Park, Zambia The Zambian government is planning to restock five of its national parks this year with animals in an effort to enhance the country’s tourism. Howard Sikwela, permanent secretary in Zambian Ministry of Tourism and Arts, said, “The national parks will be restocked with 1,361 wildlife species such as white rhinos, black rhinos, impalas, buffaloes, zebras and hartebeest”. “Though restocking of animals is an expensive activity, we will do it to increase the animal population in our national parks, which will in turn boost tourism in the nation,” Sikwela said. Some of the wildlife species in some ... Read more

Infinix, the Hong Kong-based smartphone company, has launched Infinix Hot 6 Pro, a new smartphone in India. Infinix Hot 6 Pro carries a price tag of Rs 7,999, and will be available starting exclusively via Flipkart. The Hot Pro 6 comes in Sandstone Black, Magic Gold, City Blue, and Bordeaux Red colour options. The device features a 5.99-inch HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio display, is powered by Snapdragon 425 with 3GB of RAM, runs Android 8.0 (Oreo) with XOS 3.2 on top, has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash along with a secondary 2-megapixel camera for portrait shots. It has a ... Read more

Smartron’s Tronx Motors has announced the launch of Tronx One, an electric cycle with an approximate on-battery run-in range of 45-50 km per charge. The e-cycle is priced at Rs 49,999 and would be available in magma red and pacific blue colour option. Tronx is currently undertaking pre-orders, which would start to ship the first batch of consumers from July 16 onwards. A crossover of a bicycle and an electric bike, Tronx One is capable of reaching a speed of up to 25 km/hr and comes with multiple ride modes. The e-bike also has features such as virtual gears, coupled with three ... Read more

Uber Eats has launched its second service in Andhra Pradesh at Vijayawada on July 10. “Uber Eats service is launched in Vijayawada and consumers can order their favourite food by downloading the Uber Eats app on their mobile phones. Vijayawada marks the 18th city for Uber Eats since the launch in India in May 2017,” said Bhavik Rathod, Head of Uber Eats India. Uber Eats has partnered with restaurants such as Paradise, Cream Stone, Drunken Monkey, Seven Days, Southern Spice and many more. The service will be available for consumers across key neighborhoods in the city such as Labbipet, Governorpet, Auto ... Read more

Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is expecting a healthy growth in the number of Indian tourists arrivals this year, as the island nation is out to woo travellers even from smaller cities. Sri Lanka has seen a substantial growth in tourist arrivals from India last year, with over 3.84 lakh travellers. Currently, India is the number one country in terms of tourist arrivals, followed by China, UK and Germany. Some of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka include Kandy, Colombo and Bentota. Kandy, Srilanka “This year we are targeting 4.50 lakh tourists from India,” said Viranga Bandara, Assistant Director-Marketing, ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: Balan Madhavan Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) blooms only once in every 12 years and, the hills of Munnar will soon be painted in a hues of blue. Kerala Tourism has launched a microsite http://www.keralatourism.org/neelakurinji exclusively to welcome the kurinji season. The new microsite offers you in-depth insights into the ‘Neelakurinji Phenomenon’ through photographs of the blooming in 1982, 1994 and 2006, video clips of the Kurinji and other nearby attractions, the best routes to reach the flowering site at Rajamala, travel writers who share their experiences of having witnessed the flowering in the previous years and also scholarly articles on preserving ... Read more