Category: Top Stories

Tourist attractions in Ooty are open to tourists from yesterday, officials said. Admission is open to all centers, including the Botanical Garden, Boat House, Doddabetta, and Sim’s Park in Coonoor. Admission will be in compliance with Covid criteria. These centers were first closed in March 2020 due to Covid. It reopened months later but closed again after the second covid expansion. At the same time, tourists from within the state were allowed to come to Ooty. Tourists from states including Kerala and Karnataka continued to be banned. The ban on tourists and the non-opening of tourist centers had led to ... Read more

Tourist influx to the tourist destinations in Idukki district. In the last two days, more than double the number of people reached various centers in the Idukki district. Over 4,100 people visited the dam on Saturday and Sunday. Of these, 3,000 were visited on Sundays alone. On the day of Thiruvonam, 1750 people came to Rajamalai in Eravikulam National Park. Munnar, Vagamon, Thekkady, and Ramakkalmedu were also busy these days. The crisis-stricken tourism sector also got relief from the arrival of tourists. In addition, centers under the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) are experiencing congestion, Secretary P S Gireesh said. ... Read more

The Rural Tourism Packages, led by the Responsible Tourism Mission, were launched on August 20. In the first phase, various experience packages were resumed in Bekal in Kasaragod district, Thekkumthara in Wayanad district and Kumarakom, Aymanam, Vaikom and Ezhumanthuruthu in Kottayam district. Village Life Experience, Cultural Experience, Story Telling, Native Experience, and Village Walk Programs are available with this package. The Experience Ethnic Cooking Program, which enjoys a variety of food from home, has not yet been launched, as Kovid standards remain. But the food will be available in eco-friendly packets. Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinators will ensure that all family ... Read more

A newly-wed couple converted the guesthouse of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh into a honeymoon cottage, inviting widespread condemnation and criticism. Stung by it, the university management on Saturday constituted an internal committee headed by its Rector to probe into the alleged misuse of the guesthouse. The state government also sought a report on the incident. The guesthouse was booked by University Women Empowerment Cell director A Swarna Kumari, who herself was an alumnus. “One of our staffers booked the guesthouse for use by another professor’s student. But the purpose for which it was used was wrong ... Read more

After a long vacation of months due to covid, the Gavi tourism sector Reopened for travelers. Tourists flock to see the snow-capped Gavi during the Onam holidays. Subject to covid concessions, the Forest Department has opened Gavi Eco-Tourism. Access through Angamoozhi and Kochandi check posts is for vehicles booked online only. The entrance fee is Rs 60 for locals and Rs 120 for foreigners. Admission will be allowed for the first 30 registered vehicles. Those who book online must collect tickets from the Angamoozhi Goodrickal Forest Range office in the morning to begin the journey. Kerala Forest Development Corporation will ... Read more

Ministry of Tourism in its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Hospitality & Tourism Industry especially in the times of the pandemic has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MakeMyTrip (India) Private Limited and Ibibo Group Private Limited on 17.08.2021. Ministry of Tourism has already signed MoUs with Easy my Trip, Clear trip, and Yatra.com. The primary objective of this MoU is to provide extensive visibility to accommodation units, which have self-certified themselves on SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for the Hospitality Industry) on the OTA platform. The MoU also outlines both parties to encourage Units to register ... Read more

KATPS CEO Manesh Bhaskar passed awayManesh Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer of Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society has passed away at the age of 43. He has died at a hospital in Chennai while undergoing treatment for his after covid related ailments. He is the son of C. Bhaskaran, the first National President of SFI, and Tulsi Bhaskaran, a former Deshabhimani News Editor. He is the brother of Dinesh Bhaskar, the Additional Private Secretary to the Chief Minister. Wife Ponni. Son Adi Tej (Kendriya Vidyalaya 7th class student). He is the former CEO of Kannur-based Malabar Tourism Co-operative Limited. The body, ... Read more

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Friday extended his “heartiest Onam greetings” to the people of the state and other Keralites all over the world. “I convey my heartiest Onam greetings to the people of the state and other Keralites all over the world,” the Governor tweeted. Khan, in a series of tweets said the celebration of Onam rekindles the splendid legacy of a life of equality, oneness and prosperity. “The celebration of Onam rekindles the splendid legacy of a life of equality, oneness and prosperity, filling minds and homes with the celestial joy of festivity. I sincerely wish that ... Read more

After remaining closed for over a year for night viewing, the Taj Mahal will open from August 21 for visitors who want to explore the marble monument under the moonlight, officials said on Friday. Night viewing of the monument had closed on March 17, 2020, during the first lockdown due to COVID-19. ASI Superintending Archaeologist (Agra Circle) Vasant Kumar Swarnkar told PTI that night viewing will be allowed on August 21, 23, and 24 as the monument is closed every week on Friday and the lockdown is in effect on Sunday. He said there are three-time slots for visitors. From ... Read more

The famous Naini Lake in North Delhi has opened. Tourists can now enter this place which is very popular for boating. This was announced by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC). The North Delhi Municipal Corporation, headed by DTTDC, is responsible for the management of the lake. There are also plans to make some changes to the lake. The Naini, which overflows during the monsoon season, causes headaches for the people on its shores. Authorities said they would try to resolve this issue. The charge for a half-hour boating is around 130 rupees. Up to four people can ... Read more

Mumbai is gearing up to recapture the tourism sector that has suffered heavy losses due to covid. As part of that, it was decided to keep the city’s beaches and parks open until 10 p.m. This was announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Beaches, parks, and other public places are open from 6 am to 10 pm. The new decision comes as the number of covid patients is declining. The announcement was made by the Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal. Only those who strictly adhere to the Covid standards will be allowed to enter. The city’s tourist attractions have been ... Read more

KSRTC launches tent stay scheme in Munnar to increase non-ticket revenue. The plan is to provide convenient and safe tents on a daily rental basis for tourists visiting Munnar. Apart from the bus station, it will be set up on 3.50 acres of KSRTC’s land in Munnar. A letter of interest has been invited for this. For more information, visit www.online.keralartc.com or contact KSRTC Control Room – 9447071021, 0471 – 2463799 WhatsApp – 81295 62972.

According to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the South African economy could face massive losses of more than ZAR 181 million every week it’s on the UK’s ‘red list’ for travel. The comprehensive study conducted by WTTC, reveals the staggering consequences the UK ‘red list’ represents to the South African Travel & Tourism sector, and the nation’s economy, which have both been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. All UK travellers, regardless of their vaccine status, travelling to countries on the ‘red list’, which includes South Africa, are required to cover the expensive cost of a ... Read more

After a long time, the Kodikuthimala Eco-Tourism Center under the control of the Forest Department was opened to the public. Admission for tourists will be subject to strict restrictions. A special pass will be issued by the Forest Department for admission. There was also an Independence Day celebration organized by the Forest Department at Kodikuthi. Najeeb Kanthapuram MLA hoisted the flag. Block President A.K. Mustafa presided. Village Panchayat President Sophia, Block Panchayat Members Prabhina Habib, Ayamu, Village Panchayat Members Nafisa, Gafoor, Forest Conservation Committee President A.K. Syed Muhammed, D. F. O. P. Praveen, Forest Range Officer P. Vinu, former village ... Read more

The number of trips to Munnar during the holidays is increasing exponentially. Lots of visitors came on Saturdays and Sundays. More crowd was noted in Mattupetty, Kundala, Anairangal, and Echo Point under the Electricity Board. The number of tourists increased in Rajamalai and Flower Garden under the control of the Forest Department. The number of visitors from outside the state is low. But more people began to arrive from other districts. On Saturday alone, the Electricity Board received Rs 80,000 from Munnar. As more people arrived on Sunday, the revenue was Rs 150,000. The revenue came from Mattupetty, Kundala, Anayirangal, ... Read more