Page 50 - Hospitality Recreation
Responsible tourism to gain popularity in 2019
As the new year begins, travel experts feel responsible tourism or travelling for a cause is likely to gain momentum among Indians in 2019. "Travellers including mostly the millennials, in India as well as globally, consider themselves equally responsible for the disaster and duty-bound to reverse it. This year we will see a spurt in the number of responsible travellers demanding for sensitive travel packages as well as sustainable operators to ensure a guilt-free tour. They will take the centre stage in 2019," Cox and Kings Group CEO Peter Kerkar told PTI here. Plastic-free travel, voluntourism, sustainable and green tours are predicted to be extensively used terms in the travel space, he added. Echoing a similar view, FCM Travel Solutions - Indian Subsidiary of Flight Centre Travel Group, Australia, managing director Rakshit Desai said with growing awareness and a need to give back to the community and environment, there are citizens across the world that are waking ..
Survey on for new bridge over Brahmaputra river
Assam may soon get another new bridge over the Brahmaputra river.
Three-day International sweet fest at Hyderabad from Jan 13
Foodies in Hyderabad, particularly those with a sweet tooth, have a reason to cheer as the city is set to host the International Sweet Festival for three days from January 13. The Parade Ground at Secunderabad would be the venue for the second edition of the festival which is organised alongside the International Kite Festival. Telangana Tourism and Culture secretary Burra Venkatesam, who held a meeting Monday on the arrangements for the events, said 1,000 varieties of sweets were showcased last year. The meeting was attended by representatives of associations from various states in the country and abroad, he said. Approximately eight lakh visitors turned up last year. Representatives from 20 countries would set up stalls at the events this year, he said. About 10 lakh people are expected to throng the twin festivals this year. The participants are mainly those from other states and countries living in Hyderabad.
Eye on Dalit votes, BJP to cook 3,000 kg khichdi at Amit Shah's Delhi rally
Seeking a stronger Dalit connect ahead of national polls and also aiming to create a world record, the BJP will be cooking over 3,000 kg of khichdi with rice and lentils collected from nearly three lakh Dalit households in Delhi at its rally here on Sunday. 'Samrasta Khichdi' will be cooked at the Bhim Mahasangam rally in Ramleela Maidan with the ingredients collected by members of Delhi BJP's SC Morcha. The rally will be addressed by party chief Amit Shah. "We have covered over two lakh Dalit houses so far and expect to reach 90 per cent of the targeted three lakh households in the coming days. Also, we are in touch with Guinness Book for getting this feat registered as a world record," said Delhi BJP SC Morcha president Mohanlal Gihara. The current world record of largest khichdi cooked is 918.8 kg, which was achieved by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Ministry of Food Processing Industries at World Food India festival held in Delhi in November 2017. Gihara said Nagpur-based chef .
Puducherry welcomes New Year with fireworks
Huge crowds of revellers, mostly tourists, thronged the Beach Road here to usher in the New Year. Fireworks lit up the sky, chants of "Happy New Year" filled the air and sweets were distributed as the clock struck 12. Police were deployed in strength and maximum vigil was maintained to prevent any untoward incidents. Main thoroughfares bustled with activity as vehicles lined up. Many gathered outside their residences and in balconies to witness the festivities. Senior officers, including Director General of Police S Sundari Nanda, monitored the traffic. Barricades were erected at various points. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, accompanied by several legislators of the ruling Congress, visited the sea shore around midnight to greet the people and tourists on the occasion of the New Year. Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi had extended her greetings to the people.
Free milk distributed on Jaipur streets on New Year-eve
On the New Year-eve, the residents of Jaipur came across posters with a unique message: "Daaru peekar nahin, doodh peekar karo navvarsh ka swagat" (welcome the New Year by sipping milk, not liquor).
People take to streets as Bengaluru ushers in 2019
Grand celebrations with pomp and gaiety across the Garden City marked the arrival of the New Year. Many signature locations of the city, including prominent roads, shopping complexes, malls, eateries, luxury hotels, clubs, pubs and bars wore a bridal look Sunday night as people thronged these places to usher in the new year. The centre of attraction, like every year, was the MG Road, the Brigade Road and the Residency Road, where hundreds of people turned up. It was at this very location that the mass molestation had taken place on this day three years ago. To avoid a repetition of such an embarrassment, elaborate security arrangements were put in place with the deployment of a sizeable number of policemen, police vehicles, CCTV cameras and cameramen. In addition, policemen in civil dress were also deployed to keep an eye on miscreants.
City gets ready to ring in New Year
Thousands visited Alipore Zoological Gardens, Eco Park and other tourist spots in the city and elsewhere to celebrate the last day of 2018. As dusk settled down, the crowd swelled at hotels, pubs and hangout joints to participate in the celebrations in the run-up to 2019. At the brightly illuminated Park Street, the city's most preferred destination for party-goers and Christmas revellers for decades, popular restaurants and pubs were occupied with party goers ready to embrace the new year. The eateries were decked up with balloons, twinklers and decorative lights. The crowd at the night clubs at luxury hotels across the city also geared up for the New Year Eve parties offering a heady cocktail of dance, music, DJs, food and wine. Most star hotels and elite clubs are having poolside parties and buffet dinners with drinks for the occasion. Preparations were also on at churches to usher in the new year with the New Year Eves mass, even as people thronged the compound at ...
See Venice, but pay an entry fee first
Visitors to Venice will have to pay a new tax to help cover the costs of keeping the tourist-thronged historic city clean and safe, city officials have announced. The measure, passed late on Saturday as part of the budget bill, allows the city authorities from July to being charging tourists a landing fee of between 2.5 and 10 euros (USD 2.9-11.5) depending on the season. The charge covers all visitors, whether they are staying overnight or not. That means it will apply to day-trippers such as the thousands of cruise ship passengers who currently escape the existing tax charged by hotels and the owners of rented properties for those staying overnight. Some 600 cruise ships stop at Venice every year, helping drive complaints that the city is being swamped by the millions of tourists who visit each year. Airlines and coach companies may also pass on the new tax in their charges. City officials estimate that the tax could bring in 50 million euros ($55 million) a year. "The cost of ...
First rake of revamped Godavari Express rolled out
The first rake of the upgraded Godavari Express with 24 coaches was rolled out from Hyderabad station on Monday.In an aim to provide a comfortable experience to the passengers, the first rake has been refurbished under the Indian Railway's "Project Utkrisht" initiative.The salient features of these coaches are exterior Polyurethane (PU) painting, upgraded public address system and GPS-based LCD indication board. The berths of the trains have also got a fresh look.Furthermore, stainless steel washbasins, LED lights and fire extinguisher have been fitted in all coaches. The washrooms of the train have been upgraded with polymerised flooring and duromat to keep them clean and dry.
'More than one million tourists visited Nepal in 2018'
Over one million tourists visited Nepal in 2018 and the country aims to double the number by 2020, the tourism authority said on Monday. Nepal Tourism Board organised a special programme to mark the 20th anniversary of its establishment. The board was set up in 1998, when Nepal observed 'Visit Nepal Year' in an effort to attract half a million foreign tourists. The latest data shows in total 10,97,458 people visited Nepal in 2018. Nepal aims to double the number by next year as the country is observing 'Visit Nepal Year 2020', the board said. "It's a matter of pleasure to announce that tourist inflow has crossed one million mark in 2018," Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari said. "Nepal has a bright future for tourism industry," Adhikari said while speaking at the event. Nepal has achieved great success in tourism and the credit for that goes to the private sector, he said.
Foreign tourists can now fly directly to Andamans
Foreign tourists can now directly fly to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the government has designated Port Blair airport as an authorised immigration check post for entry into and exit point from India. The decision to open up the Andaman and Nicobar Islands directly for foreign tourists came after it was found to be the most sought-after tourist destination in the country receiving an average four lakh tourists, including several thousand foreigners, annually. "....the central government hereby designates Port Blair airport of Union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an authorised immigration check post for entry into/exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers," a Home Ministry notification said. The Superintendent of Police (CID) of the Island has been designated as the "civil authority" for the immigration check post at Port Blair airport with effect from Monday. According to data available with the Home Ministry, more than 16 lakh ...
Gulmarg comes to life with New Year revellers like old times
The ski resort of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir is going to stage a gala welcome, like the good old days, to the New Year as the resort is completely sold out to revellers on Monday.
Thousands of revellers gather in Himachal to bid goodbye to 2018
Tens of thousands of holidaymakers on Monday gathered across resorts in Himachal Pradesh to bid goodbye to 2018.
Taylor Swift, Joe Alwyn's cozy day out in New York
Seems like Taylor Swift and beau Joe Alwyn brought some heat to a cold day in New York.With no big distance between the two, the couple stepped out in the city and walked hand in hand in the chilly weather and enjoyed a lengthy stroll following their lunch at a West Village restaurant."They are very low-key and normal. She is much happier without her personal life out in the open. Joe is very keen on proposing soon," confirmed Us Weekly.Donning a newsboy black cap with a red scarf, purple jeans, burnt orange coat and black boots, the 'Delicate' singer completed her look with a purse draped over her shoulder, freeing up her hands to hold tight to Joe. On the other hand, 'The Favourite' actor wore a black beanie, jeans with grey sneakers and a blue coat with a black collar.The couple, who was first publicly linked in May 2017, has always kept a low profile of their relationship.
Pete Davidson 'enjoying being single'
Comedian Pete Davidson, who was seen with a mystery woman over the weekend, is "enjoying being single."
Future of photography inevitably linked with video: Atul Kasbekar
Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar says the future of photography is linked with videos and it would be difficult for aspiring ones to be at the top by just shooting still photography.
Kendall Jenner poses in pink bikini in the snow
While we are freezing in Delhi's winters, covering ourselves up with all the clothes we can possibly wear, Kendall Jenner was out there posing in the middle of snow, wearing nothing but a bikini on Sunday.The American model took to her Instagram page to share a picture of herself, wearing a pink itsy bitsy string bikini paired with an open jacket and ski boots, while standing in deep snow during a family trip to Aspen."F**k it's cold," Jenner captioned the snaps.It should be noted that earlier during the same trip, Kendall had posted an Instagram story of her car's thermostat, which showed it was -2 degree Fahrenheit outside.The whole Kardashian gang, including Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Kimye's three children, Kourtney Kardashian, Kourtney's ex Scott Disick, their three children, and Scott's girlfriend Sofia Richie, flew to Aspen on Friday for a New Year trip.
Get a look at Priyanka, Nick's perfect Swiss vacation
Newly-weds Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are no different when it comes to welcome 2019 in the best way possible. The couple has been sharing photos on their social media accounts and we can't stop gushing over them!The duo is currently in Switzerland, where they can be seen enjoying with family and close friends at their New Year getaway.Living her life to the fullest, Priyanka took to her Instagram and shared a few photos from her recent skiing trip with Nick, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, and her other friends.In the pics, PeeCee can be seen wearing matching black jacket and trousers with red floral print. The diva rounded off her look with a bunny cap and square sunnies.The 26-year-old singer also shared lovely photographs from the snow-capped mountains and picturesque views on his Instagram.Prior to this, the 36-year-old had a gala time in London where she ringed in Christmas with husband Nick and his family.Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' big fat wedding took place earlier this ...
Traffic restrictions in Delhi for New Year's eve, no vehicles allowed in Connaught Place
In a bid to ease traffic on the New Year's eve, the Delhi Police has made elaborate arrangements on roads across the city with a special focus on Connaught Place and the areas around it. All kinds of vehicles will be restricted from 8.00 pm onwards at Connaught Place till the celebrations conclude, a statement said. "Vehicular traffic in the inner, middle or outer circle of Connaught Place will not be allowed," B.K. Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said. The officer said a special drive against drunk driving, jumping signals and dangerous driving will be undertaken by the traffic police. Vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond round about of Mandi House, round about of Bengali Market, north foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover, Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg crossing, Chelmsford Road near Munje Chowk (New Delhi Railway Station), RK Ashram Marg-Chitragupta, round about of Gole Market, round about of GPO, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi ...