Page 44 - Hospitality Recreation

Congress attacks Goa govt over draft tourism policy

The Congress in Goa Tuesday alleged the state Tourism department ignored suggestions of various stake-holders before deciding the final draft of the Tourism Policy 2018. Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said the feedback given by Congress and stake-holders like hoteliers, shack owners and tour operators didn't find place in the final draft. Experts and activists had alleged that the draft tourism policy was replete with flaws. Interestingly, Congress MLAs skipped the January 16 meeting called by state Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar to discuss the policy. He said the draft was prepared as per convenience of Tourism department. Kavlekar said the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) met the stake-holders Tuesday, but the meeting remained inconclusive. "We will ask for more time on behalf of the CLP to discuss the issue. We will need at least eight days," Kavlekar added.

Thackeray memorial: Trust to get land possession on Jan 23

The land earmarked in Mumbai for the memorial of late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray will be transferred by the city civic body to the trust set up to construct the structure at an event here on Wednesday. The Shiv Sena is organising the event on Wednesday, on the occasion of Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary, at the city mayor's bungalow, which is going to converted into a museum as part of the memorial structure. The event is expected to be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Ajoy Mehta and members of 'Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Nyas' (trust), including BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, a source said. Some leaders want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be invited for the memorial's 'bhoomipujan', which is likely to be held by this month-end, the source added. Architect Shashi Prabhu, who is also a member of the trust, told PTI that the trustees, ...

Pair the right food with wine, vodka

Winter is the time to plan perfect indoor parties and pair home cooked food with the appropriate alcohol. Experts suggest how.

Luxury vessel sets sail on Brahmaputra, Majuli to get floating

A new luxury vessel has started sailing on the Brahmaputra to take tourists from here to Jorhat, and other destinations along the river, operator Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) said Monday. The ABN also decided to use its another vessel as a floating hotel in Majuli, the world's largest river island, ABN Managing Director Ashish Phookan said. "Due to the increased demand on the Brahmaputra, we will operate both Charaidew I and II in Assam. MV Charaidew I will be stationed as a floating boutique hotel near Majuli from next month, while Charaidew II with 18 cabins will cruise between Guwahati and Jorhat," Phookan told PTI. The Charaidew 2, the ABN's fourth vessel, has started sailing on the Brahmaputra since Sunday. "Tourists will be able to visit not only Majuli but also explore Jorhat, Sibsagar and nearby Gibbon Sanctuary from the comfort of Charaidew I, a 12-room AC houseboat," he said. Phookan said the ABN will start river cruise in the Jorhat-Guwahati-Dhaka route from .

Goa tourism declining, as ministry selling fridges to eskimos: Goa hoteliers

Bemoaning the drop in tourist footfall in Goa, the Small and Medium Hoteliers Association of Goa on Monday said that unchecked online room aggregator services, second homes being converted illegally into guest houses and unchecked wholesale liquor outlets were bleeding the tourism industry.

From hot cups of tea to billboards and lounges: India makes a mark on Davos landscape sans leaders

Indian leaders may be missing but India still is a toast of this snow-laden ski resort town buzzing with the global elite who have congregated for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). While Tata Tea is offering free cups to tea to passers-by, group firm TCS proudly declares itself as one furthering digital skills and helping businesses with technology solutions. Telangana is welcoming investors to India by making the state their first stop in the country, while Andhra Pradesh is projecting itself as the sunrise state and future-ready. Despite its Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu pulling out from the Davos trip, Andhra Pradesh has expanded the space it takes every year for setting up a lounge at the spot earlier used for the Make in India lounge, and before that 'India Adda', known for Indian food and beverages. There is no Adda this time, but India Invest has set up India Investment Centre, even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra ...

Japanese airline boosts sightseeing places in Japan

Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has been introducing popular sightseeing places in Aomori Prefecture, located in Tohoku region of Japan.Hakkoda Mountain is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Aomori that offers various experiences in all the four seasons throughout the year.In the winter season, many tourists from overseas come to Hakkoda Ropeway, especially, skiers and snow boarders to enjoy the winter sport. The entire mountain is very attractive tourist spot along with a skiing area with sparse population in the region. There are a lot of Snow Monster also near from the top of the ropeway, so many tourists can have opportunity to take picture of trees and enjoy feeling coldness of winter.'Aomori Hotate (Scallop) Goya' is a popular restaurant in the region among tourists, located in front of JR (Japanese Railway) Aomori Station. One of reasons of its popularity is fishing.After fishing, people can taste fresh Hotate (Scallop) either grilled or sashimi or in the ...

Climbing stairs is good for the heart: Study

According to a recent study, a few minutes of stair climbing at short intervals throughout the day can improve cardiovascular health.The research published in the Journal Applied Physiology suggests that virtually anyone can improve their fitness, anywhere, any time by ditching elevators and taking the stairs."The findings make it even easier for people to incorporate 'exercise snacks' into their day. Those who work in office towers or live in apartment buildings can vigorously climb a few flights of stairs in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening and know they are getting an effective workout," said Martin Gibala, lead author of the study."We know that sprint interval training works, but we were a bit surprised to see that the stair snacking approach was also effective. Vigorously climbing a few flights of stairs on your coffee or bathroom break during the day seems to be enough to boost fitness in people who are otherwise sedentary," said Jonathan Little, co-author of the ...

Danish Prime Minister, wife visit Taj Mahal

Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lkke Rasmussen visited the Taj Mahal with his wife and 20 visiting dignitaries on Sunday. The delegation spent more than an hour at the Taj Mahal and around 40 minutes at the Agra Fort, showing great interest in the architecture and history of the monuments. The dignitaries reached the Taj Mahal early and had to wait for some time for the fog to clear up. Both monuments remained closed for tourists for around three hours.

Sporting culture needed to produce quality athletes, says marathoner Sunita (IANS Interview)

Experienced marathon runner and Born2Run half-marathon's Race Director Sunita Godra believes a lack of sporting culture, scientific guidance and grassroot level training has hindered the growth of quality marathoners in the country.

Hospitality of 'Kashi' on full display to greet PBD guests

The people of the spiritual capital of India Varanasi have not only opened their arms to welcome guests coming for the three-day "Pravasi Bhartiya Divas" beginning January 21, but also opened their doors to offer the special hospitality of 'Kashi'. Through "Kashi Ka Atithya" concept, under which locals have been urged to volunteer to provide accommodation to guests, visitors of Indian origin will get a chance to experience the life of residents of the historical city of Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is overseeing arrangements for the Pravasi Divas function, has said an elaborate preparations have been made in Varanasi to ensure a memorable stay of the visitors. Besides hotels and the tent city, several families in Varanasi have expressed their desire to extend hospitality to the guests with the essence of "Atithi Devo Bhava" (Guest is like God). Adityanath has said formalities to allow the families to host guests have been completed. Sources in the ...

Here comes 'stair snacking' to improve heart health

For people who find it difficult to take out extra time for physical activity after a hectic schedule, exercise just got simpler and harder to avoid. Researchers have shown that a few minutes of stair climbing called the 'stair snacking' approach, at short intervals between work, can improve cardiovascular health.

Bon Jovi's restaurant to serve free meals to unpaid US government workers

American rock star Jon Bon Jovi's restaurant has announced that will be serving free meals on Monday to federal employees who have been furloughed or working without pay, during the ongoing partial government shutdown.

J-K admin plans to introduce 'Seri-Tourism' to promote both sectors

Jammu and Kashmir's Sericulture and Tourism departments have worked out a comprehensive plan to introduce 'Seri-Tourism' as a joint venture to promote both the sectors for enhancing the livelihood opportunities, a senior government official has said. Under the first phase, model mulberry gardens of highly improved Japanese mulberry plants would be established at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC), Sidhra and the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar during this season, said Secretary, Tourism, Rigzin Samphael at a meeting here on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Director Sericulture Gulzar Ahmad Shabnum, Secretary of the JTGC, Sidhra Hitesh Gupta and other senior officers of tourism and sericulture development departments. Ornamental mulberry plants would also be planted alongside the approaches of these golf courses and other locations in a systematic and technical way, Samphael said. He lauded the Sericulture Department for extending its support in conceptualisation and ..

Unfit fodder leads to cattle deaths

: A village near here Saturday reported 17 cattle deaths due to food poisoning from fodder that was unfit for consumption, an official said. The animals were given fodder bought by the villagers from the money they collected during a religious function recently. Ten cows, six calves and a buffalo perished at different spots in Kaparda village on Saturday morning. About 100 others were revived by veterinarians sent to the village, sub-divisional magistrate (Bilara) Mukesh Choudhary said. He said most of the fodder was not fit for consumption and triggered bloating of the animals' stomachs. As the cattle started falling ill, the villagers took the fodder away from them. The carcasses were disposed of away from the village after post-mortem examinations. Choudhary said no case has been registered and no foul play suspected.

Karnataka BJP MLAs housed in Haryana hotels head home

Over a hundred Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators, who were housed in two hotels here in Haryana for the last five days, on Saturday left for their homes.

Leh emerging favourite destination for foreign tourists, nearly 50k visited in 2018

Jammu and Kashmir's Leh district has emerged as the favourite destination for foreign tourists as nearly 50,000 people from abroad visited the land of high passes last year, tourism officials said Saturday. The overall tourist arrivals in 2018 in the district, located at an altitude of 3,524 metres (11,562 ft), also crossed three lakh mark for the first time, setting a new record, the officials said. "A total of 3,27,366 tourists, including 49,477 foreigners, visited Leh in 2018, marking an increase of over 50,000 compared to the previous year," a senior official of the state Tourism Department told PTI. He said the tourist arrivals in the district first touched the six-figure mark in 2011 when 1,79,491 tourists, including 36,662 foreigners, visited the district. The feat was achieved a year after sudden floods in August - considered as the peak tourist season - caused by a cloud burst heavily damaged the town. In 2014, the record number of 59,305 western backpackers flocked the area .

SDMC wants minimum distance between meat shops and temples to be increased

The standing committee of the BJP-led south corporation Friday cleared a revised policy for getting health licences for meat shops, which now mandates an increase in the minimum distance between them and religious places. The policy along with some amendments was passed by the highest decision-making body of the corporation during its meet at the Civic Centre here. It now awaits nod of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) House. The new policy also proposes that meat shop owners get their councillor's permission to operate and specify the size of their shop, a senior SDMC official said. "If traders submit fake documents then their license will be revoked and a penalty of one lakh will be imposed. Besides, the registration fee would be hiked to Rs 7,000 from the current Rs 5,000 and renewal fee to Rs 5,000 from Rs 3,000," the official said. The proposal tabled in the SDMC panel meet says that "no sale, purchase of fish, chicken, mutton, buffalo meat, pork or any other meat will

Seven designers shortlisted for Book Cover prize (Lead, correcting para 4)

The shortlist for the fourth edition of Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize was announced on Friday at the opening day of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival.

Pompeo meets senior N.Korean general in Washington

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opened a rare meeting in Washington on Friday with a top North Korean general aimed at arranging a new summit, an AFP photographer said. Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol did not respond to shouted questions as they posed for pictures before entering a meeting room at a hotel in Washington.