Category: Top Three Stories

The Amaravathi Township project Amaravathi model townships to come up in Kochi, said Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac during his Budget presentation today. Amaravathi Township, the main project of Urban Development Authority in Mangalagiri, was started with the vision of making the capital of Andhra Pradesh like Singapore. It collaborated with Singapore house construction corporation – Sarbana International (Sesma International) and is planning to construct 2, 3 bed room and duplex flats in 50 acres. The township will contain under ground current wires, gas supply by pipes and fiber optic communication lines. The Andhra Pradesh government is also planning to develop ... Read more

Kerala budget presentation begins at the Assembly. Finance Minister Thomas Issac has presented the fourth budget of the present government and the tenth of his. The finance minister, in his budget, has said that the Wayanad coffee will be branded under the name ‘Malabar’. The budget presentation also says that Wayanad will be declared as a special zone for horticulture. Issac also suggested giving bank loans for planting trees in Wayanad  in the budget.  

K J Alphons, Union Minister for Tourism has inaugurated the project ‘Development of North East Circuit: Rangpo– Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-Tuminlingee- Singtam’ implemented under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, on 30th January 2019. Ugen T Gyatso, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim in Zero Point, Gangtok was also present on the occasion. The development of Tourism in North Eastern Region being prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism, several initiatives for growth of domestic and international tourism in the region has been taken by the ... Read more

Rajasthan’s newly elected Congress government reverts its old tourism slogan ‘Padharo Mhare Desh’ (Welcome to our land), which was changed by the previous BJP government to ‘Jaane Kya Dikh Jaye’ (You never know what you might see) in 2016. The Congress government has rolled back the previous government’s decision with an order issued on 25th January 2019. The state Tourism Department has also added ‘Rajasthan – The incredible state of India’ in the department logo, along with ‘Padharo Mhare Desh.’ “Padharo Mhare Desh is Rajasthan tourism’s traditional logo and connects with the state’s tradition and culture. Changing it to ‘Jaane ... Read more

The number of tourists coming to Thailand will hit a record 41.1 million in 2019, the country’s government said. The tourists are expected to spend 2.21 trillion baht and the number of visitors is projected to rise 11 per cent to 11.69 million. The country saw a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018, up 7.5 per cent from 2017. The December tourist arrivals were 3.85 million, and the arrivals are projected to climb about 8 per cent from last year’s 38.3 million. To put that in perspective, the flood of arrivals exceeds the population of Canada. Chinese tourists are returning after a ... Read more

RTA Dubai and Oman National Transport Company has opened international bus route to commute passengers between Dubai and Muscat, and the one-way ticket will cost AED55. RTA’s Public Transport Agency has opened the international bus route between Dubai and Muscat, which aims to boost land transport and ease the mobility of passengers between the two sisterly countries. An agreement was signed in Dubai by Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA and Ahmed bin Ali Albulushi CEO, MWASALAT Oman. Coaches operating on this route will start at Abu Hail Bus Station, and the one-way ticket will cost AED55. Bahrozyan ... Read more

As per One Faber Group, tourist arrivals from India to Singapore will increase, with the Indian government focusing on improving airport infrastructure in tier II cities, which will lead to increased flight frequencies between the two nations, The Singapore-based lifestyle services brand expects a huge arrival of tourists from India, particularly millennials interested in leisure travel. “More airports mean more opportunities to target weekend travellers to regional countries. With India’s plans to invest in the building of 100 airports over the next 10-15 years, the India tourism market is expected to grow exponentially, especially with the millennial market,” said Patrick ... Read more

Home-stay business in the Xinjiang Uygur of Northwest China is flourishing, as the winter tourism getting momentum. Local authorities are striving to exploit the favourable atmosphere had has been offering than 130 tourism activities through March, and major scenic spots provide free or discounted skiing and dining tickets. It is reported that almost 2.1 million tourists visited the area during the recent three-day New Year’s Day holiday, which is 40.58 per cent more than that of last year. Revenue for tourism during this period was USD 246 million, showing a year-on-year increase of 46.86 per cent. “Tourists have increased a ... Read more

The Bharat Parv celebrations organized by the Ministry of Tourism as part of the ‘Republic day 2019’ has reached its third day with a series of cultural events, Defence Bands, Yoga demonstrations and live Kitchen demonstrations. The Parv at the Red Fort, New Delhi is witnessing a large number of visitors. The Ministry of Tourism for the first time has set up a Digital Showcase booth in the Parv showcasing various Digital initiatives like Incredible India website, Mobile App, Virtual Reality views of Indian destinations and attractions to promote Indian destinations. The Incredible India Digital Showcase booth has been set ... Read more

For the first time at Prayagraj Kumbh, about 800 saints were given Sanyas Diksha at Dashanami Juna Akhara. All religious ceremonies were completed this morning on the bank of river Ganga. Ceremony was initiated on JAnuary 27 with the shaving of head of saints and taking holy dip in the River. Barbers were called from Haridwar and Varanasi for the purpose. Several rituals were performed at the camp of the Akhara and on the bank of the River including Diksha by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Akhara Swami Awadeshanand Maharaj. Saints who were given Sanyas Diksha include six from abroad. Their ... Read more

Zurab Pololikashvili and Basque Culinary Center has signed an agreement to hold the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism at the Kursaal Congress Center in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain from May 2-3, 2019. The Forum will focus on the contribution of #Gastronomy Tourism to job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship. The Forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City of Donostia. Returning to its origins in San Sebastian, the fifth edition of the Forum will bring together Ministers of Tourism, representatives from National and ... Read more

The Al Majaz Waterfront area has been one of the most popular attractions among residents and tourists in Sharjah. But, the authorities have recently banned all picnics in this area. “The green spaces at Al Majaz waterfront are part of its aesthetics and are not equipped for picnics. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy all the facilities, play areas, enjoy the fountain shows, and the beautiful serene waters of Khalid Lagoon,” said an official statement. Located in the vibrant heart of the city of Sharjah, Al Majaz Waterfront covers an area of 231,000 square feet, featuring stunning scenery overlooking the Khaled Lagoon. This iconic leisure ... Read more

Visa fees in Pakistan will be made easier according to a new visa regime announced by the government. The government has announced plans to relax visa restrictions for visitors from 90 countries, including US and European Union, in a bid to boost its tourism sector. The Press Information Department of the Ministry of Information in Pakistan issued a circular highlighting the changes of the visa regime. These changes include: visa on arrival for 50 countries; family visit: 5 years multiple entry visa in 7-10 working days; border crossing will be open/non restricted; and unprecedented liberalisation of visa regime. Cabinet minister ... Read more

IHCL subsidiary, Roots Corporation Ltd, has signed a new Ginger brand hotel in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Ginger Srinagar will have 64 comfortable rooms including 9 suites offering a seamless stay experience for guests. The hotel, which will also have an all-day diner, is located at Barzulla, and is a comfortable drive from the airport and key tourist spots like Dal Lake,  Shankaracharya Temple, Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal, and Jama Masjid. Deepika Rao, MD & CEO of Roots Corporation Ltd has signed a management agreement with Habib Ullah Mir. “We are happy to partner with Habib Ullah Mir to develop this hotel ... Read more

Thailand won the ‘Best Foreign Destination 2019’ Award at the South Asia Tours and Travels Exhibition (SATTE) 2019. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was represented at the awards ceremony on 17 January, 2019, by Klissada Ratanapruk, TAT Executive Director of the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region and Kulpramote Wannalert, TAT Director of the ASEAN, South Asia and the South Pacific Division. SATTE, one of India’s most important travel trade shows organised annually in New Delhi, is organised by UBM India, a major exhibition organising company, at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida. The 26th edition this ... Read more