Category: News

Followed by the successful implementation of Responsible Tourism in some of the destinations in the state, the RT Mission is all set to develop eight more RT model villages across Kerala. Also, the People’s Participation for Participatory Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism (PEPPER), an innovative integrated tourism project of the RT Mission that ensures whole-hearted participation of the people in the particular locality, will be extended to 10 more centres. At present RT is implemented in Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Vythiri, Ambalavayal, Bakel and Kumbalangi. The RT Mission is planning to implement the same in Poovar, Dharmadom, Fort Kochi, Varkala, Muhamma and Alappuzha this fiscal. These ... Read more

The much famed Tea and Tourism festival begins in Ooty. The tea and tourism festival, which used to be held during autumn season, was included in the Ooty summer festival this year. The festival was introduced in 1994 to hold it in winter holidays to bring more tourists to the hills. The two-day event was inaugurated at the Research Centre for Tribal Culture building in Ooty on Saturday. This year the festival boasts 10 stalls and, on display are tea-ice cream and a variety of flavoured teas.

In an initiative to make ‘Kovalam’ a better destination to visit and live, Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa, with the support of other hoteliers in Kovalam and local people, is conducting the event ‘MY RESPONSIBILITY TOURISM’. The event focuses on creating awareness to the local vendors, taxi and auto drivers, localites and everyone regarding the importance of tourism in Kovalam. The event will be held on 29th May (Tuesday) at KJJM Animation Centre, Kovalam by 3 pm. “The event is to make people understand that promoting and safeguarding Kovalam is everyone’s responsibility. This initiative is done with the ... Read more

The Government of India is planning to reshape its foreign tourism offices into eight regional hubs for greater efficiency. Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons said the ministry is likely to shut seven of its 14 overseas tourist offices, including the ones in Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto and London. The offices in Milan (Italy), Sydney (Australia) and Johannesburg (South Africa) are also likely to shut shop. “In today’s digital world, having these many overseas offices are not required. The plan is to reshape these 14 offices into eight regional hubs for greater efficiency,” said the minister to IE. The offices in Toronto and Los Angeles are the ... Read more

Arunachal Pradesh recorded a leap in the number of tourist arrivals as around 26,00,000 domestic and 52,000 visited the state in the year as compared to the same period last year. The members of Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators’ Association (APTOA) have contributed around 17 crores as revenue to the state treasury. Chief Minister Pema Khandu believes that the number of tourists will reach record number if the tourism potential of the state is completely exploited , which is next to only yet to be fully used hydro-power potential. Chief Minister pins his hope high on tourism sector, which he believes to ... Read more

Aruba Airlines has launched what can be called one of the shortest flights in the world. The airlines has introduced a flight connecting Venezuela and Aruba, which can be reached in 10 minutes. Just 50 miles (80 km) separate the two airports in Aruba (AUA) and Punto Fijo (LSP) in northern Venezuela. The two countries, however, are separated by only 15 miles (24 km). The flight, which was inaugurated late last week, will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, with connections to Curacao, Bonaire and Miami. Prices for the short journey starts at $215. In January, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro had ... Read more

As a way to bring in major growth in tourism sector, Indonesia is eyeing France, a major force in European tourist market by associating with French travel organizers. Deputy Tourism Minister Nia Niscava, who also oversees the marketing growth in Europe, said the association with local French travel agents and organizers will definitely result in the increase of French tourists to the country. The ongoing talk with the French travel agencies and organizers have already resulted in surveying places and accommodations in Bali from July to August by them to bring in considerable number of French tourists to the much ... Read more

Hainan Airlines has announced the launch of a direct flight between Tianjin and Vancouver. The flight HU7959 is the first direct passenger air route linking Tianjin with North America. The flight, operated using a Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, will take about 11 hours and fly every Monday and Friday. This year being the China-Canada Tourism Year, the new air route is expected to improve bilateral economic and cultural exchanges, according to Dave Murphy, Minister (Commercial) at the Embassy of Canada to China. This is the 16th international air route opened by Hainan Airlines in North America. The airlines also has plans ... Read more

Jet Airways said it will connect Patna with Allahabad from June 14 under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. The flight will leave Allahabad at 8 am and reach Patna at 9.40 am. For the return journey, the flight will take off from Patna at 10.10 am and reach Allahabad at 11.50 am. The 72-seater aircraft will operate thrice a week -Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. With Allahabad on the map, Patna will now have direct flights to 11 cities. At present, direct air service from Patna is available to New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Lucknow, Pune, Varanasi, Ranchi, Chennai and Hyderabad. ... Read more

Thailand is one of the most preferred destinations for the travellers. Reports confirm that Thailand’s tourism industry is flying high with Chinese and Indian tourists attributing the major providers of revenue. The period January-April recorded a total of 13.7 million tourists, registering a growth of 13.9 per cent when compared with same period last year. The first quarter also witnessed growth in Chinese and Indian tourists to Thailand by 30 per cent and 17 per cent respectively when compared with last year. China, India, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Russia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the US and the UK are the top ten ... Read more

Delta Air Lines has announced it will resume nonstop flights next year between United States and India’s financial capital, Mumbai. The airline is crediting recent U S agreements with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over alleged subsidies to three big Arabian Gulf carriers that also fly to India. Delta said it will announce the schedule details later this year. It also has plans to sell other flights within India on partner Jet Airways. Atlanta-based Delta stopped their services to India in 2015, leaving United Airlines as the only US carrier flying to Mumbai and Delhi. Trump administration deals with Qatar ... Read more

In a move to promote Las Vegas as tourist destination, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will spend $101.5 million from the operation budget for advertising in the next fiscal year. The authority’s board of directors approved $359.8 million as operating budget on Thursday and decided to spend more than a quarter of this amount to advertise the destination. The authority mainly aims at filling around 1,50,000 rooms daily by advertising, special events and through domestic and international public relations. The plan comes on a time when Las Vegas has experienced a decline in the number of tourists ... Read more

New Delhi has bagged the Best Destination for Shopping award by Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2018. The awards were distributed at a glittering ceremony held at the St. Regis hotel in Mumbai. Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager, PR & Publicity, Delhi Tourism received the award during the ceremony among the top industry professionals. The Lonely Planet Magazine invited the country’s elite travelers to choose their favorite destinations and most favored travel experiences along with the jury of travel experts and professionals. The readers voted online in large numbers across various categories, to celebrate the best in travel. Delhi was ... Read more

SpiceJet has announced the launch of 10 new flights on domestic routes using its Bombardier Q-400 aircraft on these routes, which will strengthen its network across South India with new flights and additional frequencies. The airline is all set to introduce daily direct flights on the Chennai-Mangaluru-Chennai sector from 16 June, 2018. SpiceJet will enhance its operations on the Hyderabad-Rajahmundry, Chennai-Kozhikode, Bengaluru-Kozhikode with an additional evening flight on each of these sectors and introduce its third flight on the Chennai-Hyderabad route. “SpiceJet is on the path of a major fleet expansion which means new routes and destinations for our customers. ... Read more

After the tourism sector boomed greatly last year, the city has decided to rise the funding to $2.5 million for major events as the city likes to keep the tourism boom intact. The city officials believe that the new municipal accommodation tax which was implemented from January this year will guarantee investments that will endorse and develop Ottawa’s tourism industry and further boost the tourism industry’s boom in 2017. The city expects $5,00,000 of the planned tax revenue will go to the convention development fund, which will be used to draw more international and corporate conventions to Ottawa by Ottawa ... Read more