Category: Top Stories

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

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

Kourion, Cyprus Cyprus Parliament on Tuesday passed a law establishing a junior ministry for tourism, scheduled to begin operation in January 2019. The government bill also provides for creating the position of an under-secretary to the president for tourism. The bill will come into being from 2nd January 2019. In a statement, deputy government spokeswoman Klelia Vasiliou called it a ‘milestone for boosting the tourism sector, a key pillar of the Cypriot economy’. The establishment of the ministry would lead to the implementation of a national strategy for tourism. It has been formulated over the last five years through consultations with all ... Read more

Novotel New Delhi Aerocity AccorHotels has introduced ‘MyRoom by AccorHotels’ concept across five properties which offers customised rooms. The concept rooms are introduced in AccorHotels’ Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa hotels with an aim  to meet travellers’ stay experiences which are distinctive, innovative, customised and local. To bridge the gap between the hotel staff and guests, MyRoom themes have been designed by the hotel staff itself. The staff brainstormed on themes they are passionate about, while keeping their guests in mind. Following internal discussions, three winners were shortlisted, where each winner was given charge to decorate and plan the room as per their ... Read more

The rock restaurant Tanzanian authorities said they have started verifying registration certificates and licenses of firms that are engaged in tourism businesses in the east African nation. “The move is aimed at identifying and removing all unregistered and unlicensed firms from doing the tourism business,” said Gaudence Milanzi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. “Unregistered and unlicensed firms had been linked to incidences of fraud including conning and causing unnecessary inconveniences to tourists. Such incidences were tarnishing Tanzania’s image to tourists around the globe,” he said in a statement. The government was  issuing registration forms to ... Read more

After four long months, the Agra-Jaipur flight of Air India will start flying again from July 16th albeit at a changed time. The flight will be operating four days a week. The flight will be operated on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The flight will take off from Jaipur at 6:50 am and land in Agra at 8 am. The return flight will take off from Agra at 8:30 am and land in Jaipur at 9:30 am. Air India has scheduled the ATR-72 aircraft for this route instead of the ATR-48 it was flying earlier due to the heavy seat occupancy ... Read more

Mumbai Marine Drive area will soon become one of the world’s top water sports destinations to have  events like Formula 1 racing and Grand Prix. The government is planning to develop Mumabi as the hub of cruise tourism in the country. Marine Drive, Kanhoji Angre Island, Mandwa, Alibaug and Vijaydurg would be developed as eye-catching tourist destinations under this project. “In order to attract tourists, water sports activities are being planned in and around Marine Drive are, to have events like Ferrari Formula 1 nd Granprix. Mandwa will be transformed as a wellness destination with facilities for activities like Yoga ... Read more

Israel received 2.1 million tourists during the first half of the year 2018, depicting an increase of 19 per cent compared to the same period in 2017 (1.74 million) and 26 per cent more than in 2016. In the month of June, 310,200 tourists visited Israel, according to reports released Monday by the Central Bureau of Statistics, which is 2 per cent more than in June 2017. Revenue from tourism in June reached about 1.66 billion shekels, according to the report. Since the beginning of the year, tourism industry could contribute 12 billion shekels to the Israeli economy. City of ... Read more

Oman Air said it will resume its service between Muscat and Malé in the Maldives this October. Flights to the Maldives with Oman Air will recommence for the 2018-19 winter season from 28 October 2018. The service will be operated by the new Boeing 737 aircraft. The flights from Muscat to Maldives will operate on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the flight from Maldives to Muscat will operate on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Maldives is a beautiful chain of 26 ring atolls, made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, located only three and a ... Read more

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty sets the destination mood right with the grand luxury spa at the property – Śāntata. The new spa, spread across 22,000 sq.ft, is ready with its carefully crafted treatments to ensure wellness and rejuvenation to the guests. Śāntata features seven treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, spa locker rooms, crystal steam room, sauna, plunge pool, ice bath fountain, experience shower, member’s lounge, indoor lap pool and a hydrotherapy area. The spa focuses on traditional Ayurveda and contemporary international treatments, offering a selection of massages, facials, manicures, and unique wellness packages. Relaxation Lounge The signature series of Śāntata is ... Read more

The Museum SAN is designed by the world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. His dreams to create a museum that can offer “energy for life” instead of an ordinary museum that is like a silent box came true in his design of the Museum SAN. As he hoped, more than two thousand people visit the Museum SAN each year to find a rest in nature leaving their busy city life behind. As its popularity increased, it has been selected as one of the outstanding attractions in Korea that one must visit in Korea along with other famous sites such as the Namsan ... Read more

Total visitor arrivals from India to New Zealand have doubled (from 33,000 to 66,000) in the past four years. Keeping this in mind, Tourism New Zealand is expanding its annual travel trade event, Kiwi Link India this year to three Indian cities. According to the new format, the organisation and partners host key buyers from around India in Mumbai from 9th – 10th July, followed by frontline training in Bangalore and New Delhi on 12th – 13th July respectively. Kiwi Link serves as a platform for Indian travel agents, product managers and planners to interact with New Zealand operators and ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: abc.net.au The total phase of the “blood moon” eclipse of July 27 will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth’s natural satellite will turn a red or ruddy-brown colour. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly 4 hours. The eclipse won’t be visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts. But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region will get a spectacular show, if the weather is favourable. Unlike with solar eclipses, you need no special equipment to observe lunar eclipses. Lunar eclipses, which occur when ... Read more

Air India’s newly launched New Delhi-Tel Aviv flight services has got an overwhelming response from passengers, and, following this, the national carrier has announced an increase in frequency on this sector, adding a fourth flight a week starting 14th July. Air India will now fly on Saturday in addition to Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday every week on the 256-seater Boeing 787 Dreamliner. “We are pleased with Air India’s move to increase weekly flight frequency in light of the significant rise in tourist arrivals from India. The outbound numbers to Israel have grown exponentially in the last few years and this ... Read more