Category: Top Three Stories

SpiceJet is introducing flights from Ahmedabad and Surat in Gujarat to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. The direct Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad and Surat-Jaisalmer-Surat flights will commence operations on October 31 and November 30, respectively. The routes were awarded to the airline under UDAN II. With the introduction of the two routes, SpiceJet will operate 25 daily flights under UDAN in straight 14 months since its first launch in July 2017. SpiceJet is also planning to enhance its operations on the Surat-Goa sector with a second direct flight from November 30. The airline’s Ahmedabad–Patna flights will operate from October ... Read more

Goa’s tourism season will start from 4th October 2018, with arrival of the first chartered flight from Russia, carrying tourists. It was informed by Savio Messiah, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). Goa has its conventional visitors from Russia and the UK to cheer the tourist season, though there is competition from the Middle East and European countries. Now a days Goa does not have an off season, as the domestic tourists who come from across the country makes it lively throughout the year, even in monsoon. The state’s lone airport has been receiving a good ... Read more

India and Usbekistan signed 17 agreements for cooperation in various sectors, including tourism, visa free travel for diplomats, national security, training of diplomats and human trafficking The agreements were signed during the visit of the Usbekistan’s Presiden Shavkat Mirziyoyev in New Delhi on Monday, 1st October 2018. The agreements signed between the two countries include cooperation on agricultural and related sectors, science and technology, military education and in health and medical science sector. A MoU for cooperation in the pharmacy sector also signed. Other areas of cooperation include prevention of human trafficking and illicit narcotic drugs. An agreement also signed ... Read more

Chinese National Day Celebrations at Tian’anmen Square China’s National Day holiday marked massive tourist activities across the country. As per reports from the Ministry of Tourism, around 122 million Chines people travelled around the country on Monday, 1st October 2018. This is 7.54 per cent more than that of the same period in last year. Revenue from domestic tourism for a single day reached around USD 15 billion, which is 7.19 per cent more than last year. This was revealed by the National Tourism Data Center. China has been celebrating their 69th Anniversary of the formation of People’s Republic of ... Read more

Rajasthan, famous for its historical tourism destinations, bagged three national awards this year during the National Tourism Awards 2016-17. It was announced at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on the occasion of the National Tourism Day. Rajasthan won the sought after top position in the categories of Best Film Promotion Friendly State and Use of Information technology, Social media, and website. Meanwhile, the state shared the award for Comprehensive Development of Tourism with Goa. Kuldeep Ranka, the Principal Secretary of Rajasthan tourism department, Pradeep Kumar, Director of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Punita Singh, joint ... Read more

Paragliding in Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh Tourism development projects worth Rs 1,892 are coming up in Himachal Pradesh as per official sources. Union ministry has sanctioned the amount to strengthen the infrastructure of the tourism destinations under the scheme ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein’ (new paths and new destinations)’. Under the project, the state government aims at encouraging home-stays through the private sector. Nature walks, eco-trails, treks, trips to orchards and other attractions would be promoted in these circuits. Development of infrastructure will be of utmost priority. Road connectivity, accommodation and provision of basic amenities in new places in Bir Billing, ... Read more

ACI chief Angela Gittens hands over the award to CIAL operations senior manager Manu G. (Photo Courtesy: Indian Express) Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has secured third place in the Airport Service Quality survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI), a non-profit organisation representing the world’s airports.  The award was in the Asia-Pacific region, 5 to 15 million passengers category. CIAL achieved this award based on facilities provided by the airport, such as car parking, check-in services, food, entertainment and toilets. Around 6 lakh passengers have participated on the survey conducted by ACI. Kochi Airport, which runs on solar power, has ... Read more

Foreign tourist witness traditional coir making, as part of responsible tourism in Kerala The Kerala government is aiming at generating 5 lakhs jobs in the tourism sector through its responsible tourism programme in the next three years, irrespective of the setback experienced by the tourism industry following the rain and flood during August this year. “Responsible tourism will be the key to the aspiring government plan of generating 5 lakhs job opportunities by 2021,” said Rani George, Kerala Tourism Secretary. She was addressing the tourism industry in the Kerala Travel Mart at Kochi, which has been taking place since 27th ... Read more

Kerala is on its path of revival, after a month long catastrophe due to rain and flood. Various activities are going on in different parts of the state to reinstate its past glory. As part of the rebuilding endeavours, Kabani Community Tourism and Services, a Kozhikode based tourism company, is organizing an event in the name ‘Nambu – Naam Anbode (we, with love), to encourage collective farming at Wayanad. Under this programme, the organizers are planning to undertake over six acres of land to cultivate rice. Several farmers and about hundred patrons will join hands to produce rice, where the ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: CNN Residents and those who visit UAE are warned not wear inappropriate dress in public places like malls and cafes, otherwise face three years’ imprisonment and deportation for ‘harming the country’s public morals’, as reported by local news agency. The instruction came following a viral video on Twitter of an Arab woman who spoke about how she reported a “woman who was dressed inappropriately” to a mall security in Dubai. The security then provided the woman with an ‘abaya’ to cover up. “There are no context or law that regulates or controls clothing limits or set penalties for ... Read more

Volcanoes Gorilla National Park, Rwanda Gorilla tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for Rwanda. As per the WWF conservation group the number of the mountain gorillas are around 600 in the Virunga Massif, a mountainous area encompassing parts of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Tourists can watch gorillas from short distance, in their natural habitat at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Thousands of tourists, local and from foreign countries visit the National Park every year. However, the flow of tourists have declined this year as the authorities have increased the price of a permit to visit the ... Read more

  Digitization has been changing the whole perspective of tourism in the world.  From searching for the next trip destination, checking in at the airport, or when looking up foreign dishes on the menu, digital technology has a significant role. While the world has been celebrating the World Tourism Day, the tagline was ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’, citing the influence of digital media in the tourism sector. Just like the global tourism industry, the Ugandan market is steadily adapting to the digital trends. There is an ease in accessibility and personalized experiences. Tourism businesses and organisations have effectively created digital ... Read more

The Department of Tourism Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) celebrated “World Tourism Day” on 27th September 2018 at Gulmarg. The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day was ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’. While addressing the gathering,  Syed Haneef Balkhi, Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, congratulated the Department of Tourism Studies for celebrating the day at Gulmarg. He said the GDA is making tireless efforts to make Gulmarg polythene and garbage free. “We have established two waste treatment plants and the trash collected from the hotels and dustbins are treated there only. We are taking due care for environmental ... Read more

Cultural programmes, part of the Tourism Walk Odisha Tourism has organized a tourism walk and food festival to mark World Tourism Day on 27th September 2018. The Tourism walk that started from Kalinga Stadium has terminated at Utkal Mandap. Tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda flagged off the walk in which about a thousand persons including students, young people, senior citizens, members of skating associations, representatives of Hotel & Restaurant Association, travel association, tour operators and Odisha State Tourist Guide Association participated in the walk. Cultural programmes have accompanied the walk to the amusement of the spectators. Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Odissi, Tribal ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: thefabulousscript.com Tourism Australia and Singapore Airlines have signed a three-year strategic marketing deal worth USD 7.93 million, reiterating their commercial ties. As per the agreement the two parties will jointly fund a range of tourism campaigns and promotional activities in eight of Australia’s key inbound markets – Singapore, as well as China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the UK. “The renewal of the strategic cooperation with Tourism Australia underscores its commitment to Australia’s tourism and travel industry,” said Mak Swee Wah, Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice President Commercial. “Singapore Airlines has been bringing visitors to Australia for over ... Read more