Category: News

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

Site of Amaala Project (Photo Courtesy: Saudi Gazette) Saudi Arabia is planning to build a luxurious tourism center with international standards. It is in addition to the two mega projects in the banks of the red sea. The project cost will be mainly spent from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (Public Investment Fund) of Saudi. Public Investment Fund has announced that they will bear the initial costs of the project, which is named as Amaala. The project will spread on 3,800 square meters will be developed on the concepts of Wellness, Healthy Living and Meditation. Other than the PIF Funding, lots ... Read more

The short video released by famous brand Samsonite saying ‘Kerala is Open’ has become viral in the social media. It was a boost for the Kerala tourism industry, which has been bouncing back from recent floods, which caused widespread damages to the industry. The 40 second video has been shared by thousands of people, including prominent personalities like Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampalli Surendran, Renowned film actor Prithwiraj Sukumaran etc. Recently Indian Cricket Team Captain Virat Kohli has also shared the video on his Facebook page. “What a comeback from Kerala! As they say, when the ... Read more

As part of the World Tourism Day, the Kerala Tourism in association with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has organized a walkathon from Kowdiar Square to Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism, has flagged off the walkathon. A flash mob and mime, highlighting UNWTO’ s theme ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’ were part of the walkathon performed by the students of (KITTS). Vijayakumar, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC); Muraleedharan, MLA; Rajasree Ajith, Director KITTS; B Rajendran, Principal, KITTS; VS Anil, Deputy Director, Tourism; Muraleedharan K, Councillor; Palayam Rajan, Standing Committee Chairman and Shaji ... Read more

Tourists including children and adolescents who visit Veli can now have a trip on a Mini train. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism said that a Miniature Railway project was approved at the Veli Tourist Village. The Miniature Railway project, which has modern facilities, will be implemented by the State Tourism Department at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The project will become a reality within 18 months. Tourists can travel on the Mini Train by up to 2 kilo meters. The tourism minister said that the outline of the project is ready. The train will be operated by solar energy. ... 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

Qutub Minar has bagged the top award in the differently-abled friendly monument category at the National Tourism Awards. The awards were presented by Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons at a ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhavan. Qutbu’d-Din Aibak laid the foundation of the Minar in AD 1199, to which subsequent additions were made by his successor Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlak. The 73-metre tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Qutub Minar has made best possible efforts to provide amenities to the differently-abled at a World Heritage Site. ... Read more

Kerala’s efforts to rejuvenate its tourism sector in the wake of the recent floods in August got a robust validation on World Tourism Day with it topping the States with nine National Tourism Awards for 2016-17. Overall, Kerala Tourism walked away with four awards, including the Best Tourism Film (Live Inspired) and second prize in the category of ‘Best State/Union Territory- Comprehensive Development of Tourism in Rest of India.’ In the Hall of Fame awards section, the two other official entries of the department which got prizes were Excellence in Publishing in Foreign Language and Responsible Tourism Project, Wayanad, for being ... Read more

The Kerala Travel Mart 2018 has kick-started in Kochi at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolghatty on September 27, with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan officially inaugurating the event by lighting the traditional lamp. More than 1600 buyers from India and abroad are in Kochi to participate in the Kerala Travel Mart. The buyers group includes representatives and heads of tourism projects and heads of tourism from the country and outside. Of the 1600 buyers, 545 are foreign buyers. “It is for the first time that we have these many buyers participating in an event in Kerala. This shows the ... Read more

The Union Minister for Tourism (IC), K J Alphons has launched the ‘Incredible India Mobile App’ and the “Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification” programme on September 27. The Incredible India Mobile App, showcases India as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, such as spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and more. The mobile app has been designed keeping in mind the preferences of the modern traveler and follows the trends and technologies of international standards. The app has been equipped with features to assist the traveller in each phase of their journey to India. The app has been developed ... Read more

Tourism Minister K J Alphons has presented National Tourism Awards 2016-17 in New Delhi, on the World Tourism Day. The Awards were presented to various segments of the travel and tourism industry. These awards are presented to State Governments/ Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organizations in recognition of their performance in their respective fields. The awardees were chosen on the basis of several parameters including tourist traffic and efforts undertaken to make the state tourist friendly. The awards are given to encourage healthy competition with an aim ... Read more

India has taken great strides forward in the field of tourism during the last four years of the Government and added that tourism, today, is the cornerstone of the Indian economy, as it is a major source of employment and foreign exchange, and in order to tap the full potential of this sector, industry has to join hands, said K J Alphons, Union Minister for State for Tourism.  The minister was addressing a gathering after distributing the National Tourism Awards in Delhi. Congratulating the awardees, K J Alphons also shared the concern that the tourism sector needs to improve its ... Read more

Major focus to be given for responsible tourism and ecologically friendly tourism projects in Kerala, opined Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala. The minister was addressing a gathering at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolghatty after inaugurating the 10th edition of Kerala Travel Mart today. “The government is aiming to position Kerala in the world tourism map through promoting Responsible tourism. When a region changes as a part of responsible tourism, every section of the people will also benefit from it. The government is planning a project to promote the traditional art forms and cultural specialties of the Malabar region. ... Read more

Deenaz Raisinghani with her child (Photo Courtesy: Indian Express) Deenaz Raisinghani, a Jaipur-based blogger is fond of travelling. Having a baby did not stop her craving for travelling. In fact, the mom to a three-year-old has travelled to nine countries with the baby, as a family and even solo. The Backpacking Mama shares her experience of her trip to Kerala. “We travelled to Kerala when my daughter was just 11 months old, and it remains one of our most favourite trips with family. Kerala caters to everyone, on every kind of budget. Along with its scenic beauty, it allures you ... Read more

Mechtild Rössler, Director, UNESCO World Heritage Center All the nations around the world are celebrating 27th September as the World Tourism Day. Varied programmes are organized by people in the tourism industry. Tourism has become a major source of growth, employment and income for many of the world’s countries, particularly in emerging economies. However, when mismanaged, overwhelming numbers of visitors can damage ancient monuments and put intangible heritage at risk. “World Tourism Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting World Heritage and ensuring that tourism makes a positive contribution to the sustainable development of destinations and ... Read more