Category: News

Google Arts and Culture have partnered with the Ministry of Tourism to unveil a 360-degree virtual reality video for the global “Incredible India” tourism campaign. As part of the partnership, Google Arts and Culture will provide users with an immersive 360-degree view of India’s heritage, festivity, spirituality and adventure. The video will showcase users a 360-degree view of some of the most iconic destinations in India including Qutub Minar, Amritsar’s Golden Temple, Vitthala Temples at Hampi and Goa’s easygoing vibe. “India is an iconic destination that offers unique experiences of climate, geography, culture, art, literature and food. We want to ... Read more

As per the study conducted by ‘Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey 2018’, Vienna capital city of Austria, has been chosen as the most liveable city in the world. “The success of foreign assignments is influenced by issues such as ease of travel and communication, sanitation standards, personal safety, and access to public services,” said Slagin Parakatil, Mercer’s research. It was for the 9th year that Vienna achieved the title followed by Zurich (Switzerland), Auckland (New Zealand ) and Munich (Germany). Award criterion includes attractiveness of the city, business and investment potential, school, housing and hospital infrastructure. It even checks public ... Read more

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is organising the 2nd edition of the Goa Vintage Bike and Car Festival to celebrate the Goa’s rich history of automobiles. The event will display entries from Goa as well as from other parts of the country at the Inox Courtyard – an iconic heritage structure that dates back to the 1800s. The event has been curated by Ashvek Vintage World and is supported by the VCCFI (Vintage and Classic Car Federation of India). Over 50 motorcycles and over 65 cars are expected to participate in this festival. Around 20 entries are expected to drive in ... Read more

With an aim to offer better security for the tourists visiting the state, the Uttar Pradesh tourism department has launched its first 24×7 phone helpline (18601801364). The helpline will assist the tourists in giving information about tourism centers, lodging of complaints, etc. The tourism department hopes that the helpline will come handy if a tourist faces an issue anywhere in the state. There will also be arrangements to record the incoming calls on the helpline and the police, and administration along with other departments have been appointed to redress all the complaints. The tourists will be updated about the places to ... Read more

The Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has conducted the 3rd Award Ceremony of Adopt a Heritage Project at New Delhi for awarding the Letters of Intent to the shortlisted agencies under Phase IV of the project. The project ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ was launched on 27th September 2017, that aims to preserve the rich natural heritage and culture of India, for the smooth promotion of tourism to the country. Under the Phase -4 of the project, around 22 monuments has been undertaken by 9 agencies to ‘protect, preserve and market’ the heritage of ... Read more

dnata has bagged two prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2018 – for the fifth year running. dnata secured the accolade of ‘UAE’s Leading Travel Agency’ and ‘The Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Agency’. The World Travel Awards Middle East, presented at a gala dinner in Ras Al Khaimah, in front of the region’s leading travel groups, are voted on by travel and tourism professionals worldwide. They recognise commitment to service excellence which organisations receiving awards have demonstrated during the past twelve months. “It’s particularly gratifying to know our hard work and dedication to our ... Read more

Emirates has introduced Home Check-in, a new service which allows customers to check in for their flights from anywhere in Dubai. The service is available for customers across all classes travelling on Emirates flights. The new service enables Emirates passengers to complete the security check and check-in from the comfort of their home, hotel or office and have their luggage transported to the airport prior to their flight. An Emirates check-in agent will arrive at the preferred location to weigh and tag the bags as well as check-in the customers and issue boarding passes. Customers can then make their own ... Read more

Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is a major port city located on the south-west coast of India. The city, with its pristine lakes, beaches, Fests, Art and Architecture attracts a wide number of inbound foreign tourist arrival annually. As per the Kochi Police, the city records zero crime rates against foreign tourists for the past two years, which marks Kochi as a safe destination to enjoy holidays. “For the past few months, no crimes against foreigners have been reported,” said DCP (Crimes and Administration) A R Premkumar. Additionally, the city also hosts India’s first tourism police ... Read more

Airport Authority of India (AAI) to invest over Rs 400 crores, as part of boosting tourism and enabling new infrastructure facility at Goa’s major airport Dabolim. The major facelift programs include the expansion of the current passenger terminal, creating new parking space. Additionally, the AAI is also planning to build new Rs 3,000 crore worth airport at Mopa in North Goa. Dabolim airport has a huge potential in catering tourism to the state, as it handles over 7.5 million commuters annually. Also, it is the 12th airport to have an airport operations control centre (AOCC), that provides real-time flight operations. ... Read more

flydubai announced that flights to Sulaimaniyah will resume from 10 May 2018. The carrier now operates to five points in Iraq including Baghdad, Basra, Erbil and Najaf. The decision to relaunch the flights was taken following the Iraqi authorities’ announcement that that the airport reopened in March 2018. flydubai is the first carrier from the UAE to operate direct flights to the Kurdish city with a twice a week service from its Dubai hub to Sulaimaniyah International Airport. The frequency is set to increase to three times a week from June this summer. Flights FZ205/206 will operate between Dubai International ... Read more

Facebook-owned photo-sharing platform Instagram has rolled out the new ‘Download Data’ tool. The new feature allows users to download a copy of their own data. Currently, the new feature is active in the Instagram desktop version and would be made available to ios and Android versions subsequently. Contents in the form of profile information, photos, videos, archived stories, post/story captions, uploaded contacts, usernames of followers/people you follow, direct messages, comments, likes, and settings can be downloaded under the tool. On 25th May Global Data Protection Regulation would come into effect, that compliance Instagram with Europe’s data privacy law. Instagram, is now ... Read more

Next time when you board a train in Kashmir, you would be awestruck watching the snowcapped mountains and the rural landscapes through the glass ceilings. With an aim to woo tourists, the Indian Railways is planning to introduce glass roof-top coaches on the Kashmir rail line. The vistadome coach, announced in June last year, has already arrived and will be introduced in May. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is introducing the see-through glass coaches in association with J&K tourism department. “The 40-seater coach would provide an enjoyable experience to passengers, officials said. The vistadome coaches in Kashmir have ... Read more

The Dubai International Airport has retained its world coveted standing on top of world airports in terms of the number of international travellers, according to the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2018. The airport has retained the award for several successive years in recognition of its premium travel services, including catering, entertainment and retail not to mention seamless travel procedures, says WAM. The awards celebrate the region’s best in business travel and hospitality and the ceremony was attended by key travel industry executives in Dubai. The award was received by Eugene Barry. EVP Commercial and Anita Mehra, Senior Vice President ... Read more

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has urged the state tourism development board to issue instructions to various tourism development authorities for implementing solid waste management system across the state. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the chief secretary to issue the instructions in this regard. The chief executive officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has informed the court that solid waste management plan will be operational in Pahalgam from April 25. Photo Courtesy: J&K Tourism The court has directed Gulmarg Development Authority, Sonamarg Development Authority, Yusmarg Development Authority, Doodpathri Development ... Read more

With the rising negative campaigns against Kerala through social media on treatment of elephants, the department of Kerala Tourism has decided to make short movies on elephant care and historic festivals to reverse the negative publicity. The sad news is that animal rights activists at various platforms are campaigning against Kerala, that can create a reduction in inbound tourist arrival to  God’s Own Country. Hence the Kerala Tourism Department is all set to counter the situation through professional video montages, that aims to revels the actual situation. Currently, Kerala Tourism has a positive reputation in the global tourism market, with ... Read more