Category: News

People in Kochi can have a travel in the world’s oldest running steam locomotive and become part of history with the Indian Railways all set to operate the 164-year old ‘EIR 21 Express’ on the  8 km Ernakulam Junction-Cochin Harbour Terminus section on February 16 and 17. The 164 year old ‘EIR 21 Express’ – the world’s oldest running steam locomotive To travel from Ernakulam Jn. to Cochin Harbour Terminus by this Heritage Special Train, hauled by the world’s oldest running steam locomotive – EIR 21, foreign nationals will have to pay a fare of Rs 1000.  For adult Indian ... Read more

Those who look for a bit of silence and to be free from the hustles of the city life can opt for a retreat to the bamboo hut near the Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary. The hut, an initiative by three friends- Sudheesh Thattekkad, Shalini Binu and Noby Paulose- is completely made of Bamboo, with palm leaf roofing. There are three beds in the hut, which can accommodate 6 persons. The floor is coated with cow dung as in ancient style Kerala homes. Three bathrooms equipped with modern sanitary fittings are also there. There is an upper deck in the hut, from ... Read more

On the event of the attack on the Indian Army in Pulwama, the US Department of State warns its citizens and advise to avoid traveling to Pakistan. The advisory cautions the citizens who travel to Balochistan province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism. It also asks to avoid travel to the Azad Kashmir area due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict. “Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Pakistan. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist ... Read more

India’s much-awaited locally manufactured semi high-speed train ‘Vander Bharat Express’ (coded as Train 18), will make its maiden run on 15th February 2019.  The train is built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Chennai under PM’s ‘Make in India’ programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train on New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route from the New Delhi Railway Station. However, there will not be any festivities and the train will run without any flower decorations, on the event of terror attack in Pulwama, Kashmir last night. A two-minute silence will also be observed before the launch in memory of CRPF ... Read more

Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Environment, laid the Foundation Stone of Taj  View Garden on the Taj Corridor Area between the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal in Agra on 14th February 2019. The Taj View Garden is being developed on the Mughal period’s Charbagh garden pattern by the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The main purpose is to increase greenery by enormous plantation around the Taj Mahal. It will not only help to reduce the pollution around the Taj Mahal but also provide a pleasant view to the visitors. The Minister also ... Read more

Kerala’s tourism revenue crossed Rs 36,528 crore during 2018, showing an increase of Rs 2,874.33 crore over last year, despite adverse situations like nipah, floods and hartals. More than 16.7 million tourists visited Kerala in 2018, compared to 15.76 million the previous year, which include domestic and foreign tourists, recording an increase of 5.93 per cent. Of the total footfalls, 1.09 million were foreign tourists. The share of revenue from foreign visitors touched Rs 8,764.46 crore. There was also a boost in arrival of domestic tourists to the state. United Kingdom (UK) accounted for the largest number of foreign visitors, ... Read more

Chefs of Uday Samudra Group has made a world record in making the biggest miscellaneous dessert pudding using residual foods. They have prepared a ‘city of pudding’, weighing 1622 Kgs, which depicted landscapes, water bodies, airports etc. The miscellaneous dessert pudding is cake pudding that used crumbs from sandwich cookies and pudding in combination with other ingredients to create a dessert that has a different amazing look of a mini city. The event was a reminder for those who waste foods in hotels and restaurants. The chefs of UDS set forth a message that the residual parts of desserts can ... Read more

Delhi Tourism is organizing the 32rd Garden Tourism Festival between February 15 and 17 at the Garden of Five Senses to “celebrate spring and its myriad hues”. Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister of Tourism, Govt of Delhi, will inaugurate the event on 15 Feb at 4:00 p.m. from Last year’s festival Delhi Tourism stated that the festival was being held to create awareness about the environment and showcase the rich floriculture of Delhi. The event’s theme is ‘Plants-Lifeline for Everyone’ and the organizers hope to emphasize the importance of plants in one’s home. The festival brings together various ... Read more

Shripad Yesso Naik , Minister of State for AYUSH, launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters on 13th February  at New Delhi. Addressing the gathering Naik said that this e-AUSHADHI portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability. “Timelines will be fixed for processing of application through this portal with SMS and e-mail status updates at each step of the process. This initiative of the Ministry of AYUSH is a reflection of our Government’s commitment towards e-governance, ease of doing business and ... Read more

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism, Government of the Republic of India and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. The Memorandum of Understanding aims at exchanging information and expertise in Legislation in the tourism development, Hotels, resorts and tourist accommodation facilities, Tourism data and statistics, Exhibition events and other tourism activities in States of the Parties, Tourism development, planning and investment; Licensing, operating and marketing tourism facilities, Agricultural Tourism,  ... Read more

Kasaragod, which has been behind the limelight of the Kerala tourism sector for years, has made a major come back in 2018. As per the statistics of the State Tourism Department, Kasaragod district ranked first in the number of foreign tourists with 269 per cent growth from the previous year. Kollam district, which is in the second place, recorded 45 per cent growth. Bakel Fort, Kasargod In 2017, just 1,115 foreign tourists arrived in Kasaragod district; which has increased has increased to 4,122 in 2018. From among the foreign tourists visited Kasargod in 2018, 2,472 were through the ‘Smile’ initiatives. ... Read more

Kenya is targeting 15 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from India in 2019, through various promotional activities, easy visa process and good connectivity. As per Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) director of market development Jacinta Nzioka, 1.25 lakh Indian tourists travelled to Kenya in 2018, making the country the fifth largest source market. Jacinta Nzioka, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Director United States of America (USA) is the biggest tourism source market for Kenya with 2.25 lakh travellers, accounting for 11.12 per cent market share, followed by Tanzania with 10.48 per cent market share. Uganda and United Kingdom (UK) are at the ... Read more

Expanding the brand into Kerala, Marriott International has opened Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark. Nestled in one of Kerala’s largest IT hubs and located within close proximity to several corporate parks, Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark is the ideal destination for any business traveller. The hotel has 218 spacious and well-appointed guestrooms including 23 suites, which reflect the brand’s promise of integrating timeless classics with modern details. “We are delighted to announce the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark. Business travellers to Kochi are assured of a seamless stay, the hotel’s spaces and facilities are smart and flexible, ... Read more

As part of the Tourism Ministry’s effort to make Philippines one of the major tourism destinations in the world, the Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is in Tel-Aviv to participate in the Annual International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) 2019. Puyat was welcomed by the Israel Tourism Minister Yariv Levin on Monday, during a courtesy call to the Levin’s office in Jerusalem. Starting direct flights from Manila to Israel was part of the discussions. Both the officials also enter into a labour agreement that allows up to 1,000 Filipinos to work in Israeli hotels. Philippines Ambassador Neal Imperial, Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., ... Read more

The central government has sanctioned Rs 361.97 crore for five projects Buddhist Circuit programme of the Uninon Ministry, which connects the heritage sites with significance of Buddhism across the country. It was informed by the Union Tourism Minister, KJ Alphons in the Lok Sabha. The Ministry of Tourism has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The Buddhist Circuit projects are in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, connecting the Buddhist centers in each states. Development of Buddhist Circuit in Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar, Madhya Pradesh will be implemented with cost ... Read more