Category: Top Stories

Recognizing the potential of Cruise Tourism, Ministry of Tourism has identified Cruise Tourism as one of the Niche Tourism Products. Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including cruise tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the Central Government Agencies for development of tourism, including Cruise Tourism and Cruising along rivers on receipt of complete proposals under the Scheme of ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’. In addition, Ministry of Tourism has identified Coastal Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic ... Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic brought global air mobility and tourism to an abrupt halt. It also pressed pause on trillions of dollars worth of economic activity. Millions of livelihoods and businesses have been placed at risk. And while increasing vaccination rates are helping to kickstart the return of international aviation and restart tourism, much more still needs to be done. We therefore add our organizations’ voices to those of the G7, G20, and the many countries who have called for borders to be opened to fully vaccinated travelers, travelers with acceptable proof of recovery from previous infection, and travelers holding mutually ... Read more

Rural tourism has been identified as one of the Niche Tourism areas for development in the country by the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry has formulated a Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism, which, inter alia, focuses on developing and promoting local products through tourism subsequently resulting in the generation of income and jobs in rural areas and empowering local communities, youth, and women, fulfilling the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Recognizing the potential of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the ... Read more

Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the country’s largest congregation of tourism industry, will be holding its eleventh edition in Kochi in March 2022. The gathering is expected to give an impetus to the efforts to revive the pandemic-hit tourism sector by attracting visitors from across the world. The event will be inaugurated at Grand Hyatt at Bolgatty, Kochi on March 24, 2022, while the following three days’ proceedings will be held at Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centre in Willingdon Island, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas told a press conference here on Tuesday. As the ensuing edition of KTM is coming ... Read more

Union Minister for Tourism Shri G Kishan Reddy inaugurated tourist facilitation center and public utilities and changing room on Colva Beach in South Goa today. It was constructed as part of Development of Coastal Circuit II projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Minister also unveiled foundation stone plaques for tourism infrastructure development works, parking and illumination at Colva and Benaulim beaches, and construction of public amenities at beaches in South Goa at a function held at Colva Residency, Colva Beach. The beaches of Colva and Benaulim are among the world’s famous ... Read more

The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy. A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on ... Read more

Department of Industries with support for the Caravan Tourism Project implemented by the Department of Tourism. Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has decided to provide loans for caravan parks and vehicles. KSIDC has decided to provide loans up to a maximum of Rs 5 crore for the purchase of tourist caravans and the setting up of parks. A loan of more than Rs 1 crore will be sanctioned for the purchase of more than one caravan. If more than five vehicles are purchased, KSIDC will provide 70% of the cost as a loan. Loans ranging from Rs 50 lakh ... Read more

Union Minister for Tourism, Culture &DoNER, Shri G.Kishan Reddy handed over  cheques/ sanction letters to the first lot of stakeholders who have been granted the loan/ in-principle approval under the LGSCATSS at an event today in New Delhi. Secretary Tourism Shri Arvind Singh, DG Tourism Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao, ADG Tourism Smt. Rupinder Brar and senior officers from the Ministry of Tourism and the participating banks were also present in the event. Later, the Union Minister addressed the gathering and acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders of the travel trade sector, senior officers from the Ministry and the Banks and ... Read more

According to the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report, 46 destinations (21% of all destinations worldwide) currently have their borders completely closed to tourists. Of these, 26 destinations have had their borders completely closed since at least the end of April 2020. A further 55 (25% of all global destinations) continue to have their borders partially closed to international tourism, and 112 destinations (52% of all destinations) require international tourists to present a PCR or antigen test upon arrival. The research also shows how destinations are opening up to vaccinated international tourists: 85 destinations (39% of all destinations worldwide) have eased restrictions ... Read more

Under Regional Connectivity scheme (RCS)- UDAN( Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), the seaplane service between Sabarmati River Front & Statue of Unity commenced on 31st October , 2020. Later ,the same was stopped by the selected Airline Operator( SAO) from 11th April, 2021 due to operational reasons. Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has taken up the matter with the concerned stakeholders for making seaplane operations viable. MoCA has also signed an MoU with M/o Ports, Shipping & Waterways ( MoPSW) for development of Seaplane services. Following Water aerodromes have been identified in the states of Gujarat, Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, ... Read more

Singapore will restrict entry of people with recent travel history to seven African countries after reports that a potentially more contagious COVID-19 variant may be circulating there, the Ministry of Health said on Friday. From 11.59 PM (local time) on Saturday, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with travel history within the last 14 days to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will not be allowed to enter Singapore or transit here. The restrictions also apply to those who have obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore. Singapore citizens and permanent residents returning from these countries ... Read more

Department of Tourism launches new project to expand Kerala’s tourism potential to inland villages. The project, called “Street”, will be implemented in selected areas in seven districts. The project is envisioned by the Responsible Tourism Mission. In the first phase, the project will be implemented in Kadalundi, Trithala, Pattithara, Pinarayi, Ancharakandi, Maravanthuruthu, Manchira, Valiyaparambu, Kanthalloor, and Chekadi. The “Street” is inspired by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ‘motto’ Tourism for Inclusive Growth ‘. “Street” is an acronym for Sustainable, Tangible, Responsible, Experiential, Ethnic, and Tourism Centers. The themes planned as part of the project are Green Street, Cultural ... Read more

Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri Neiphiu Rio, Minister of State for Tourism & Defence, GoI, Shri Ajay Bhatt and MLA & Advisor Tourism, Government of Nagaland Shri. H Khehovi Yeputhomi jointly inaugurated the three day long 9th International Tourism Mart for the North East Region at Kohima, Nagaland today. Secretary Tourism, GoI Shri Arvind Singh, ADG Tourism, GoI Smt. Rupinder Brar and other dignitaries of Central government and North Eastern States were also present on the occasion. The objective of the event is to highlight the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. Coffee table book on ... Read more

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is organising the annual event, “International Tourism Mart” (ITM) at Kohima, Nagaland from 27 November to 29 November 2021 with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri Neiphiu Rio, Minister of State for Tourism & Defence, GoI, Shri Ajay Bhatt and MLA & Advisor Tourism, Government of Nagaland Shri. H Khehovi Yeputhomi will jointly inaugurate the event. Other dignitaries from Central Ministries and the North Eastern States will also be present on the occasion. This event is in continuation ... Read more

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group have launched ‘Trending in Travel’, a new report that shows the latest trends traveller behaviour and future booking patterns in the wake of COVID-19. WTTC, representing the global Travel & Tourism sector, joined forces with leading global travel service provider, Trip.com Group, and its major consumer brands Trip.com, Ctrip and Skyscanner, to analyse consumer trends shaping the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector. WTTC’s latest projections show strong growth in international spending for 2022 and beyond, projected to overtake domestic spending in 2022, as more destinations ease restrictions and ... Read more