Category: Top Three Stories

Third Odisha Tourism Conclave, organised by Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), kick starts in Bhubaneswar. Governor Ganeshi Lal inaugurated the conclave at 10 am in the presence Rajya Sabha MP Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Additional Chief Secretary Home Asit Kumar Tripathy, and Tourism & Sports Secretary Vishal Dev. In Travel and Tourism, sector more than 50 per cent of the bookings are done online, said J K Mohanty, Chairman, HRAO in his welcome speech. “The government is working on long term plans to bring in strategic investment into the Tourism sector with the participation of the private sector. While a ... Read more

Emirates SkyCargo said it will carry flood relief cargo of over 175 tons to Kerala, joining the UAE community in their support of the people of Kerala. Over more than a dozen flights, the air cargo operator will transport the relief goods, which have been donated by various UAE-based businesses and organisations, to Thiruvananthapuram – the nearest online Emirates station to the areas most affected by the flood. The goods, including lifesaving boats, blankets and dry food items, will be handed over to the local flood relief and aid organisations for distribution.

Sustainable and responsible tourism will be the focus of the second edition of the Philippine Harvest under the helm of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to be staged at the Central Square Mall at Bonifacio High Street, Global City in Taguig from August 24-26. As one of the main thrusts of the Department, the trade fair is themed “Sustainable Living, Food and Travel” highlighting farm tourism, local food, and tourist destinations around the country. In partnership with Central Square Mall, the Store Specialists Incorporated Group and the Tourism Promotions Board, the event will bring together DOT-accredited farm sites across the ... Read more

TripsAcademy, India’s first interactive online and offline learning experts in travel and tourism, has launched a new mobile learning app for travel professionals. The app, first of its’ kind in the world, is available for download in both Android and iOS versions on the respective App Stores. Through TripsAcademy’s app, travel professionals can now learn at any time, any place and at any pace convenient to them. All courses within learning programmes are modular and highly engaging comprising of videos, quiz and various other interactive sections. Each interactive learning module takes no longer than 5 to 7 minutes to complete. ... Read more

Operations of the Kochi International Airport will resume on 29th August 2018 at 2:00 PM. It was decided by the authorities after a review meeting held yesterday.  The circular issued by CIAL on 22nd August states that three more days will be required to make the airport fully functional. Earlier it was declared to resume operations from 26th August. As per the circular, the date was extended as most of their staff got affected with the floods and they are out of station. Furthermore, hotels, restaurants and eateries around the airport are still closed. Communication, logistics facilities etc. are yet ... Read more

The 10-km long Cherai beach is the longest beach in Kochi, and has been famous for its occasional dolphin sighting. But, for years it has been remain unexplored by tourists, and was just another beach for the locals to chill out in the evenings. Realising the potential of the Cherai beach and its pristine waters, Mesh Manoharan, an international diver, along with a group of like-minded people established Cherai Water Sports at the beach. The beach is no more a meagre evening spot, it is filled with lot of activity; Thanks to Cherai Water Sports! “We are introducing European life ... Read more

Manuj Ralhan joined JW Marriott Hotel in Pune as the Director of Operations. Manuj, primarily responsible for overseeing smooth functioning of the hotel, has over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. In his new role, he will be leading business and strategic operations of the property.  Manuj comes with experience that will help implementing the brand service strategy and initiatives. During his 16 years in the hospitality industry, he has been responsible for Food & Beverage assets of a number of leading luxury hotels in India. He began his journey with The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, and was ... Read more

Monic and Marly of Holland hand over the relief materials to Shaji Sebastian, Pala SI, in the presence of A B Jose, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation Chairman and other dignitaries. Kerala has been receiving relief aids from around the world, on the event of the devastating floods that affected many lives. In Kottayam, two Holland nationals have come forward to extend their helping hands to the flood affected people. Monica Venena and Marly Vo Di Gomtter, studying at the Shanthi Yoga Center at Pala, were those compassionate foreigners, who have shown mercy to the miserable. They came to Pala to learn ... Read more

Tourist arrivals in Greece jumped 22.3 per cent in June compared with the same period last year, with tourism revenues rising 16 per cent, Bank of Greece (BoG) data on the current account surplus released Monday show. In the first half of the year, tourist arrivals and revenues rose 19.1 per cent and 18.9 per cent respectively, against the first six months of 2017. Tourism revenues increased to 2.33 billion euros in June from 2 billion in the same month of 2017. Greece’s current account balance showed a smaller surplus in June compared to the same month of 2017 on ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: Reuters A flash flood has killed at least 10 hikers in southern Italy on Monday when they were hurled over rocks by a raging white-water creek in a deep mountain gorge, a popular aquatic trekking spot. Eighteen people were rescued and six of those were injured in the flash rush of water in the Calabria region. There were at least 36 hikers in two organised groups inside the seven and a half mile long gorge. The number of missing trekkers are still unclear. The nationalities of the dead and injured were not immediately known, but most tourists and trekkers ... Read more

Rescue-cum-relief operations are going on in full swing in Kodagu, which is reeling under rain havoc. In view of the rain fury, the Deputy Commissioner has banned entry and stay of tourists in Kodagu till August 31. In a circular issued on Sunday, DC P I Sreevidya has prohibited tourists from staying in hotels, resorts, home stays, guest houses and other private lodges and boarding homes, till the end of this month. A copy of the circular has been forwarded to Kodagu District Hotel and Resort Owners Association and Kodagu District Home Stays Association. “The landslides and flooding is unpredictable in ... Read more

The Kurdistan Region is expected to receive some 200,000 tourists over the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday, a Kurdish official told Kurdistan 24 on Monday. “The Directorates [of Tourism] have been told to be present at tourist destinations on Eid [al-Adha] to welcome visitors and address any shortcomings in the services provided,” said Nadir Rosti, the spokesperson for the Board of Tourism. A few days ahead of the Islamic “Festival of Sacrifice,” set to be held on Tuesday, Iraqi and Kurdistan Region officials reopened the Kirkuk-Erbil road as the newly-built temporary bridge, replacing the one in Altun Kupri (Pirde) that was ... Read more

Kaieteur Falls, which is considered the widest single drop waterfall in the world, is on the Potaro River in central Essequibo Territory of Guyana. It is located in Kaieteur National Park. It is 226 meters high when measured from its fall over a sandstone and conglomerate cliff to the first break. It then flows over a series of steep cascades.  If they also considered, the total height of the fall will be 251 meters. While many falls have greater height, but Kaieteur Falls are known for their height and volume of water flow from a single source. Kaieteur Falls is ... Read more

Qatar Airways Cargo has come forward to help to the flood ridden state of Kerala by announcing to deliver urgent relief aid. The relief aid will be delivered to the affected areas via the airline’s passenger service from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram. “We have received earnest requests from the Indian community residing in Qatar seeking support to transport relief aid to Southern Kerala, where many of their families and relatives are affected by the worst flood in a century,” said Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways. Free transportation of relief goods from Doha to Trivandrum will be operated on their ... Read more

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay will receive upgrades valued at $33 million. The work will be carried out by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and will include restoration to the heritage park at a cost of $25 million and improvement of bathroom facilities at a cost of $8 million. Following a tour of the Old Fort Craft Market yesterday, Minister Bartlett said, “I am taking a holistic view of this upgrade and renovation and have instructed the technical team to come back to me with a design for a ... Read more