Category: News

Two project management agencies have been constituted by NITI Aayog to develop Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands under the Incredible Islands Projects of India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Corporation Limited and the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports, Lakshdweep, have been earmarked as agencies that will be working to develop tourism prospects in these islands. The government also wants to develop eco-tourism projects in Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. “The development component includes eco-tourism facility with the development of resorts, tents and tree houses besides other infrastructure projects to support the facility. A water desalination plant, solar power generation facility, necessary ... Read more

With an aim to promote operation of sea planes in the country, the central government has given in-principle approval for construction of ‘water aerodromes’, in five states. The first such aerodromes are set to come up in Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Assam. Chilka Lake in Odisha and Sabarmati river front and Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat have been identified by the government to implement the first phase of the project. “In-principle approval has been given for the construction of water aerodromes in various states across the country. This move will promote tourism as well as connect places of ... Read more

Tasaduq Jeelani, Director Tourism, Kashmir, has flagged off a 5-day motorsports expedition on August 11. The event, organized by Moto Explorers Club in collaboration with Department of Tourism, features 35 participants. The participants will drive 4×4 off-road vehicles to cover the 2000 kilometers from Kashmir to Ladakh. “This is one of the biggest motorsports expeditions, which would move from Srinagar and pass through Sonamarg, Kargil, Leh, Turtuk, Pangong Lake and other adjoining famous offbeat attractions in Leh,” said the organisers. “The tourism department will promote tourism products including adventure sports in a big way across India by participating in roadshows, travel marts ... Read more

The Uttarakhand tourism department is planning to frame rules to ensure private companies’ adoption of its nine heritage sites listed under ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project. Nearly 450 companies came forward to participate in the initiative after its launch by President Ram Nath Kovind on the World Tourism Day 2017. The project, launched by the Govt of India, aims to identify monuments and heritage sites and hand over their upkeep to a corporate entity or public sector undertaking under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) for five years. During these years, the company will ensure basic amenities and well-being of the heritage site but without drawing ... Read more

Gwalior Fort Madhya Pradesh Tourism is all set to promote its tourism products in international markets. Madhya Pradesh will highlight the spectacular offerings of this colourful and vibrant state to international travellers during two travel and tourism shows from October – December 2018. With more than 10,000 sq km of national parks, Madhya Pradesh accounts for about 20 per cent of India’s tiger population and is known as the ‘Tiger State’ of India. MP is home to 6 tiger reserves, several natural and architectural wonders and 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the exquisite Khajuraho temple complex, Sanchi- a ... Read more

Looking at the increase in number of tourists, the Israel embassy has opened a visa application centre in Calcutta. The centre, housed on the seventh floor of Acropolis Mall, will cater to Bengal and the Northeast. “Residents of Calcutta and the Northeast will no longer have to send their documents to Delhi,” said Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India and Philippines. India has emerged as one of the best performing markets in Asia for Israel. “In 2015, we recorded a tourist inflow of about 34,000. We have already achieved that in the first six months of 2018. Now ... Read more

Himadri Garg and Prachi Garg Ten years ago, Delhi based sisters, Prachi and Himadri Garg decided to have a trip, without having a clear destination in their mind. They just get in to a bus and set off the journey. Later the bus halted in Shimla, the famous hill station in northern India. They were unaware that the spontaneous journey is going to change the whole perspective of their lives. Later, travelling became an addition for the sisters and now it evolved to be their means to earn for their life, while enjoying what they are doing. They have formed ... Read more

Malta, a small Mediterranean Island is hoping to have 20 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals this year. Last year around 4,000 Indian tourists visited Malta in 2017. “With India being one of the biggest upcoming markets for tourism in Malta, we want to exploit its full potential. We expect the number of tourists will continue to increase in the coming years,” said Konrad Mizzi, Malta tourism minister. “Our vision is to register sustained increases of tourism from the Indian market,” he added. With the aim of development of tourism through encouraging the film industry in Malta, a three ... Read more

Meiktila-Taung Gyi Elephant Camp Tourists from China, Japan and South Korea will be able to travel to Myanmar without a visa from October 1, 2018 onwards. The new approach, which aims to encourage tourism to Myanmar, was announced by Vice President U Henry Van Thio at the Myanmar Tourism Conference. The visa free entry will be introduced as a one-year trial. Myanmar currently does not require tourist visas for travellers from eight fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The inclusion of the three new countries is another ... Read more

  Meet Nadine Sykora, who has travelled around 50 countries in the last eight years. Nadine 30 years old, hailing from Canada, is a multifaceted personality – a traveller, vlogger and YouTuber. She has recently visited India for the first time, as part of her travel. After completing her studies, she had a wish to travel around the world before settling down in to a career. Later she fall in love with travelling and now she earns from travel more than that of regular employee. She now vlogs her travel stories into her YouTube channel ‘Hey Nadine’ and do stories ... Read more

Saudi Arabia will provide Hajj visas for Qatari nationals on-arrival, noting that Doha had been attempting to block access to citizens wishing to perform the holy pilgrimage later this month. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umra countered Qatari claims that the kingdom was blocking access to websites used to register for Hajj visas by officially allowing citizens to obtain permits at the King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. The ministry provided photos of the offices that will be responsible for Qatari pilgrims during their stay in Makkah. “Qataris will be granted passage, despite a diplomatic dispute between Riyadh and Doha,” ... Read more

The government is planning to open around 100 islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep for the development of eco-tourism. The project will be implemented on public private partnership (PPP) basis, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, said on Friday, 10th August 2018. Ten islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have already been taken up for development in the first phase under the Holistic Development of Islands programme. “Now we have taken up 10 islands as the first phase of the programme; around 100 islands will be open up by the next 12 months. We invite all prospective entrepreneurs to ... Read more

Strengthening its dynamic sales team further, the flagship property of JW Marriott Hotels in India has announced the appointment of Sneha Jha as the Director of Sales. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Sneha brings to the table proficient expertise and immense knowledge in Sales and Marketing, Hotel Operations, Customer Service and Business Development. Before joining the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, Sneha spearheaded a talented team as the director of Sales and Marketing at Holiday Inn Mumbai wherein she was responsible for exploring revenue, generating opportunities and securing successful positioning for the hospitality brand. She also ... Read more

As part of the 72nd Independence Day celebrations, the Indian Air Force has opened an adventure park at the Bagdogra Air Force Station in Siliguri. The IAF has lined up a series of other events in the next seven days. Santosh Chaudhary, the president of the Air Force Wives’ Welfare Association at the IAF station, inaugurated the Freedom Adventure Carnival at the newly developed Eastern Air Command Nodal Centre’s Adventure Park in Bagdogra. The park has over 62 types of land, air and water adventure activities including power hang-gliding, parasailing, zorbing, rappelling, para-motor, and rock climbing. During the carnival, students ... Read more

The Uttarakhand cabinet has recently gave nod to the new rafting and adventure sports regulations and in view of this the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board said it was confident that the ban would be lifted before September. “The high court had banned adventure sports in the state from June 22 due to the absence of a transparent regulation policy. “Since we have a policy in place, we are now in the position to resume the adventure sports activities. We are taking a legal opinion on whether we need to move the court for this. But, as per our understanding, the ... Read more