Page 51 - Hospitality Recreation

Camila Cabello finds skiing challenging

Singer Camila Cabello, who took some time off from her warm, tropical hometown of Miami and headed to the snowy slopes, has tried out skiing for the first time.

Over 8 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in 2018, revellers thronging ski-resort at Gulmarg

New Year revellers from across the country are thronging Kashmir's ski-resort at Gulmarg, known as 'Switzerland of Asia', with the hotels at famous winter destination fully booked, bringing cheer to the tourism players in the valley. As such there has been an improvement in tourist arrivals this year, with over 8 lakh people including 50,000 foreigners visiting the valley, notwithstanding the militancy in some parts of Kashmir. The director of Tourism Nisar Wani also expressed hope of a good year in terms of the number of arrivals in 2019. "The large number of arrivals this season is good news for the tourism sector in Kashmir valley as well as the department. We have had around 8.5 lakh tourist arrivals, including about 50,000 foreigners in 2018 and we are expecting very good arrivals from different parts of the country as well as abroad in the next year, Wani said. The tourist resort of gulmarg at an altitude of 8,000 feet, 50 km north of summer capital Srinagar, is full of people .

'Mini Kashmir' Bhadarwah being promoted as snow games destination

Buoyed by steady rise in tourists' footfall in this Doda district town, billed as "Mini Kashmir" for its scenic beauty, Bhadarwah Development Authority Sunday organised a marathon to promote snow games here. Over 200students from different schools of Bhadarwah and dozens of volunteers participated in the marathon 'Run Bhadarwah Run' which started from new bus stand Kotli, officials said. The marathon was aimed at promoting snow games in the valley town to attract holiday makers during winter, they said. The marathon was flagged off by Jamu Tourism Director O P Bhagat and BDA Chief Executive Officer Rajinder Prasad Khajuria. After passing through various localities of the old town including Chobia link road, Mohallah Sarafan Dharampura, Masjid Mohallah, Passri Adda and College Link Road, it culminated at new bus stand, where they were received by Doda District Development Commissioner Anshul Garg. "We have decided to promote winter tourism in a big way here and to achieve our goal, we .

Unregulated tourism activities at tourist spots adversely affecting ecological balance: Par committee

The Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture recommended that under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), major corporates may be "compelled" to adopt heritage sites for their upkeep.It said that if proper values regarding the indigenous people and environment are followed and road and rail network is put in place, the industry may grow in a healthy way."It is also necessary that things are not done hazardously and these will not misbalance the nature in the name of tourism development," observed the committee in its report tabled in the Rajya Sabha.It also asked the Tourism Ministry to update it on the steps taken to preserve the ecological balance at the tourist sites.The Committee said many of the key monuments, even those under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are without basic amenities like clean drinking water, toilet, interpretation centres, cleanliness, etc.It said that it was informed that the government has taken an initiative called ...

Italy's city of shame Matera becomes Europe's pride

Fifty years after Italy's Matera was a national embarrassment because of its extreme poverty, the city is rescuing its dignity, baroque palaces and cave churches to become a European Capital of Culture. "Yes, it's true, we went from shame to glory," Matera mayor Raffaello De Ruggieri told journalists ahead of the southern city's year-long stint as a European Union-designated cultural crossroads in 2019. In the 1950s, prime minister Alcide De Gasperi, one of the EU's founding fathers, was outraged by Matera's underdevelopment, where many lived in ancient limestone caves without electricity or running water, lives ravaged by malaria. Now, the city in the Basilicata region on the instep of Italy's boot, is hoping to draw thousands of visitors for cultural and heritage events, many inside the same caves, now renovated. "We want people who decide to come to Matera to live an experience," said Paolo Verri, director of the Matera-Basilicata 2019 Foundation. The city, one of the world's ...

President Kovind visits Rann of Kutch

President Ram Nath Kovind visited the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat Saturday. On a two-day tour of Gujarat, Kovind reached a 'Tent City' set up near Dhordo village of Kutch district this morning, a state tourism department official said. A special cultural programme was organised at the venue in the white desert for the president in the evening. He would stay at the Tent City tonight and undertake a lion safari in the Gir forest in Junagadh district Sunday. The president is also likely to visit the Somnath temple during his visit.

GST, poor planning, high costs dampen Goa's New Year party

Heavy taxation post GST, infrastructure shortcomings, expensive tariffs and poor planning have resulted in a drop in tourist arrivals in Goa, according to Savio Messias, president of the state's top body travel and tourism industry stakeholders.

Here's how chicken soup's medical magic works

While many people rely on chicken noodle soup to soothe a cold, very few know about the other ways the broth brings relief, a dietician says.

MTDC's Tarkarli institute to train IAF pilots in scuba diving

As many as 235 officers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be trained by the Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports (IISDA) at Tarkarli in coastal Maharashtra. Managing director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Abhimanyu Kale said the IISDA has already trained around 1,000 people including foreigners in scuba diving. "The IISDA training centre at Tarkarli in Sindhudurg district, which is an institute of the MTDC, had acquired international repute," Kale said. "It will be training Air Force officers in scuba diving," he said. The IAF selected the IISDA for training its officers after considering several institutes in the country, he said. The officers will undergo training from January 3 to March 29. For ordinary tourists who have no training in scuba diving, the institute offers a 60-minute class room session in basic training followed by scuba diving in a 25-feet deep pool, said chief instructor and general manager of IISDA Sarang ...

FHRAI seeks government intervention in OTAs, hotels dispute

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) said Saturday that it has requested the government to intervene in the on-going dispute between online travel aggregators (OTA) and hotels. FHRAI has written to Tourism Minister K J Alphons outlining major issues concerning the industry and sought urgent intervention for redressal of hoteliers' grievances, a release said here. "The hotel industry, especially the budget and mid-market hotel segment is reeling under the adverse business tactics of the OTAs. The OTAs' malpractices are affecting the hoteliers' livelihood and business. These hoteliers who are part of the local and city hotel associations across the country have approached FHRAI seeking consultation and support, and are in solidarity with the Federation," FHRAI vice president Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said. The FHRAI tried to resolve the issue directly with the OTAs, however, OTAs have chosen to dismiss FHRAI's role in the matter, he said. "It ..

Army rescues 2,500 stranded tourists in Sikkim

The Indian Army has rescued 2,500 tourists who were stranded in heavy snow in an area between 17 Mile and Natu La along the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg near the China border in Sikkim, the Army said on saturday.

Centre plans cycle parts, bamboo and rubber-based industries

Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Giriraj Singh Saturday said the Centre has plans to set up a hub and spoke (cycle parts) factory and bamboo and rubber based industries in Tripura. The bamboo and rubber indusries would be set up in the north eastrn state as the raw material is found in abundance in it, he said inaugurating the National Tool Room and Training Center at Radhakishor Nagar, about 15 km from here. There are 18 technology centres under the MSME ministry and 15 new ones would be set up in different places soon as per the prime minister's direction. "We want to develop local resource based industries. We are interested for bamboo and rubber based industries because these plants grow in abundance in Tripura", he said. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said that BJP-IPFT government attached maximum importance to the welfare of farmers and so it has started procuring paddy from them with support price for Food Corporation of ...

Army rescues over 2,500 stranded tourists in Sikkim

The Indian Army has rescued more than 2,500 tourists stranded near East Sikkim's 17th Mile area, close to the India-China border, due to heavy snowfall, officials said Saturday. The tourists were returning from Nathu La pass and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake on Friday evening when snowfall in the region blocked roads, leaving over 300 to 400 civil vehicles stranded at various points on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, East Sikkim District Magistrate Kapil Meena said. He said the Army immediately swung into action and rescued the tourists. They were then brought to a camp in 17th Mile area and served food and medicines. Arrangements were being made to transfer the tourists to the state capital. "#IndianArmy rescued more than 2500 civilians stuck in more than 400 vehicles around Nathula, Sikkim due to heavy snowfall. All were provided food, shelter & medical care last night," the Army tweeted Saturday. As of now, no tourist vehicle will be allowed to ply on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road on way to the border

SMiLE drive pays dividends in North Malabar tourism

An innovative destination development drive is drawing more foreign tourists to Kerala's northernmost districts of Kannur and Kasaragod, largely benefiting local communities. The project, Small and Medium Industries Leveraging Experiential Tourism (SMiLE), has so far created 93 entrepreneurs offering homestays, resorts, houseboats and other tourism services, a press release said. They played host to 4,488 foreigners, mostly Europeans, so far and the authorities expect that the new year would bring more cheer to them. SMiLE had targeted 25 per cent foreign tourists arrivals in 2018 in the destination, but it already crossed 72 per cent in North Malabar; 199 per cent in Kasaragod district and 44 per cent in Kannur district, the release added. Not only its beaches, backwaters and hill stations but folk and martial arts, traditional systems of healing and newly introduced watersports also attract visitors. "The region has some unique attractions, and the SMiLE entrepreneurs .

Army rescues over 1,500 stranded tourists in Sikkim

The Indian Army has rescued more than 1,500 tourists stranded near the 17th Mile in East Sikkim close to the India-China border following heavy snowfall, an official said. The tourists were returning from Nathu La and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake on Friday evening when snowfall in the region blocked roads, leaving over 300 to 400 civil vehicles stranded at various points on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, East Sikkim District Magistrate Kapil Meena said. "The Army immediately swung into action and rescued the tourists. They were then brought to a camp in 17the Mile area and served food and medicines. Arrangements were being to transfer the tourists to the state capital," Meena said. As of now, no tourist vehicle will be allowed to ply on Jawahar Lal Nehru road on way to the border region, he said, adding operations are underway to clear the snow and restore road connectivity.

J'khand govt building 'Santhal village' to draw more tourists

Buoyed by increase in tourist footfall over the recent years, the Jharkhand government is building a "Santhal village" in East Singhbhum district to promote the lifestyle and traditions of the community. The tribal hamlet is being set up at a cost of Rs 2.35 crore,under National Rurban Mission, a top official said. "The hamlet, in Ghatshila subdivision, will provide an authentic experience to the tourists with its traditional food options and community activities. The project is expected to draw domestic and international visitors alike," Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amit Kumar maintained. The "adarsh Santhal village" will be ready in a year's time, he said, adding that the administration has plans to develop the district on the pattern of Kerala's "Bread and Bed Model" for seasonal guests. Jharkhand, with its natural beauty and rich culture, has the potential to be developed into a major eco-tourism spot, while generating livelihoods, the DC stated. The Union government has .

Army rescues 2500 tourists stranded near India-China border in Sikkim

The Indian Army has rescued around 2500 tourists who were stuck near the India-China border in Sikkim's Nathu La due to heavy snowfall.The tourists including women and children who were stranded between the 17 Mile area and Nathu La in Sikkim have now been provided food, shelter and warm clothes by the Army, a Defence Ministry official said."300 to 400 civil vehicles were stranded near 17 Mile carrying over 2500 tourists who were returning after visiting Nathu La Pass along the Indo-China border. The Indian Army immediately swung into action to provide rescue and relief to the stranded tourists including food, shelter, warm clothing and medicines," the official said.1500 tourists have been accommodated at 17 Mile, while the remaining tourists were shifted to 13 Mile.The Indian Army has also provided two sets of JCBs and Dozers of BRO for snow clearance and restoration of road connectivity.As per Indian Army, the evacuation operation will continue till all stranded tourists are safely .

Four killed in bombing of tourist bus near Egypt's pyramids

An explosion on Friday targeting a bus carrying Vietnamese tourists on an excursion to the Giza pyramids left four people dead and 10 others wounded, Egyptian authorities said.

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2 Vietnamese tourists killed in Giza blast

A roadside explosion here on Friday claimed lives of two Vietnamese tourists and injured a dozen other tourists, the Egyptian Interior Ministry has confirmed.According to CNN, the bomb blast targeted a tourist bus in the Giza region near Cairo, famous for its pyramids.The Egyptian Interior Ministry stated that the tourist bus was occupied with two Egyptian citizens, including the bus driver and the other one representing the tourism company, while the rest of the passengers included 14 Vietnamese people.The Interior Ministry also said that further investigation into the matter is underway.