Page 3 - Tourism Industry

Sri Lanka to boost tourism, approves free tourist visas for 35 countries

The country of 22 million people, famed for its beaches, ancient temples and aromatic tea, saw its tourism industry pummelled first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by a severe financial crisis in 20

A new recipe: Dhabas to whet tourists' appetite in Uttar Pradesh

The state government has identified tourism as a key sector to fuel its ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy

Bangladesh unrest may be bitter pill for health-care tourism in India

Sector experts fear the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh could deal a blow to India's health-care exports

Domestic travel operators to see 15-17% revenue growth in FY25: CRISIL

Rising domestic tourism and increasing propensity to travel overseas will expand the revenue of India's tour and travel operators by 15-17 per cent this fiscal, Crisil Ratings said on Thursday. Factors like improving infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, a behavioural shift in travel patterns, and the government's increasing focus on boosting domestic tourism will further support the sector's revenue growth. The assessment was based on an analysis of the country's four major travel operators, who account for about 60 per cent of the sector's revenue. "The credit profiles of travel operators, too, are expected to remain healthy, supported by strong balance sheets and steady operating margins of 6.5-7 per cent, in line with last fiscal, resulting in sizeable cash flows and continuing low reliance on debt," Crisil Ratings stated. In the domestic tourism market, growth is being fuelled by 'micro holidays' (e.g., quick getaways or staycations over long weekends), growing spiritual

Rajasthan tourism industry optimistic about state's civil aviation policy

Tourism expert Mohan Singh Mertiya says the projects listed under the policy will improve aviation in the state, "which will be a big support to the tourism industry"

Gujarat tourist footfall up 17% as visitors flock famous spots this summer

Over 1.35 crore tourists flocked to famous destinations in Gujarat during this summer vacation, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year, the state government said on Wednesday. From April 1 to June 10 this year, more than 1.35 crore tourists visited 12 prominent attractions and pilgrimage sites in the state. This is a notable rise from the 1.14 crore tourists who visited during the same period in 2023, a government release stated. Key tourist spots included the Statue of Unity, Atal Bridge, Riverfront-Flower Park, Kankaria Lake, Somnath Temple, Ambaji Temple, Pavagadh Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Science City in Ahmedabad, Vadnagar, Gir and Devalia Safari Parks, and Ahmedabad Metro Railway. Ahmedabad district and Ahmedabad city, which has been declared India's first UNESCO World Heritage City, emerged as top tourist destinations in the financial year 2023-24. Ahmedabad district welcomed 4.26 crore visitors, while the city itself attracted 2.25 crore tourists, th

TBO Tek Q4 result: 64% jump in PAT to Rs 46 crore, revenue up 31%

Travel distribution firm TBO Tek Ltd on Thursday said its profit after tax (PAT) rose by 64 per cent to Rs 46 crore in the quarter ended March 2024 from Rs 28 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The revenue during the reporting quarter jumped 31 per cent to Rs 369 crore crore compared to the year-ago period. For FY 2023-24, the PAT stood at Rs 201 crore, up 31 per cent over FY23 while the revenue was recorded at Rs 1,393-crore, an increase of 35 per cent over the financial year ended March 2023, the company said. "FY 24 was a landmark year for TBO. Following our successful IPO, we have recorded another year of remarkable growth, with revenue soaring to Rs 1,393-crore, showcasing 31 per cent increase with adjusted EBITDA at Rs 270-crore," said Gaurav Bhatnagar, co-founder and Joint MD, TBO Tek Limited. The gross transaction value during FY24 surged to Rs 26,536-crore, marking a 19 per cent year-over-year growth, he added. "Our acquisition of Jumbonline has alre

Infra, connectivity should be main focus: Himachal tourism stakeholders

Irrespective of which party forms the next government, infrastructure development and fixing connectivity issues should be the main focus in Himachal Pradesh, stakeholders of the state's tourism industry said. The state and central government should complete projects on proposed airport constructions, improve rail connectivity and build facilities along the highways for tourists, they said. "We are businessmen and do not wish to face the ire of any political party. Single engine or double engine, the government should work for development," said Nishant Nag, the owner of a hotel and amusement park in Shimla. The tourism economy of Himachal Pradesh accounted for seven per cent of state GDP amounting to Rs 14,000 crore, and generates 14.2 per cent direct and indirect employment, as per the latest economic survey. Candidates of both BJP and Congress contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Shimla, Mandi and Kangra seats have mentioned promotion of tourism and better connectivity as the

Why has Japan blocked the iconic view of Mount Fuji? All you need to know

The plan garnered headlines in April when officials, frustrated by the constant influx of mainly foreign visitors littering, trespassing, and breaking traffic rules, announced it

Raj govt to hold tourism festival 'Great Indian Travel Bazaar' from May 5-7

The state government plans to showcase its tourism infrastructure during the event.

Add colour to tourism via Holi events: Trade body to Rajasthan govt

If Holi events were organised properly at 50 destinations, more than 10 million people from outside could visit Rajasthan within five years, says a travel agent

Maldives to conduct road shows across Indian cities to woo tourists back

In an apparent bid to woo Indian tourists back to the Maldives, a major tourism body here has announced that it will hold road shows across key Indian cities. As the number of Indian tourists to the Maldives continues to decline, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) held discussions with India's High Commissioner here, Munu Mahawar, on enhancing travel and tourism cooperation between the two countries. A full-blown backlash was directed at the Maldives following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officials after Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on India's west coast on January 6 on his X handle. Scores of Indians, including multiple celebrities, cancelled their reservations and dropped plans to visit Maldives. The tourism arrival statistics reflected how from being a top visitor country, India's position went down to first fifth and now at the sixth ...

Thomas Cook launches 'helicopter darshan' to Adi Kailash, Om Parvat

Targeting the surge in demand for spiritual tourism, Thomas Cook India and its group firm SOTC Travel have partnered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board to offer aerial darshans to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, the company announced on Wednesday. The five-day spiritual tour has been launched at a price of Rs 90,000 per person -- subsidized by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The base camp for the tour will be Pithoragarh, in Uttarakhand. The darshans will start from the second day onwards. On the day-2 of the trip Manokamna temple darshan will be organised and on day-3 onwards there will be Adi Kailash & Om Parvat darshan. Each batch of the five-day spiritual tour will consist of 14 persons. Thomas Cook and SOTC's data indicates a significant demand of 100 per cent YoY for Spiritual Tourism. The tour includes two helicopter darshans to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) for journey to the Parvati Sarovar temple and all meals (vegetarian), ...

Long Weekend: Airfares, hotel rates shoot up ahead of Holi, Good Friday

The Indian tourism industry is witnessing a sustained boom on the back of what industry stakeholders call a mindset shift, where people are using every opportunity to travel

Airlines expected to report lower loss of Rs 3,000-4,000 cr: Report

Airlines are projected to report a lower net loss of Rs 3,000 to 4,000 crore in the current as well as next financial years, helped by healthy passenger traffic growth and pricing discipline, a report said on Monday. For February, credit rating agency Icra in its report said domestic air passenger traffic was estimated at around 127.5 lakh. The aviation sector has also been grappling with supply chain challenges and issues related to Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines. IndiGo grounded more than 70 planes due to P&W engine problems. "It is estimated that 24-26 per cent of the total fleet of Indian airlines in operations will be grounded by March 31, 2024. Considering the bulk recall of the engines globally by P&W and other existing issues with the OEM's engines, the testing by P&W is likely to take longer at 250-300 days," the report said. Meanwhile, it said the pace of recovery in industry earnings is likely to be gradual owing to the high fixed-cost nature of the ...

Bangaram, Thinnakara islands becoming tourism hotspots in Lakshadweep

When the fishing boat carrying tourists wades through the turquoise blue waters, as it approaches the Bangaram island, one could clearly see the coral reefs and flashes of multiple colors inside those natural structures. You can spot large sea turtles and various fishes running away from the sound of the boat's propeller. There is no need to question why Bangaram and its nearby Thinnakara island are considered the hot spot of tourism activity in Lakshadweep. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photographs during his visit and stay at Bangaram, taken on a newly formed sand bank there has made the place even more popular. The Lakshadweep administration is operating a five star resort on this uninhabited island and there is nothing else, not even a shop or people who are outsiders. Occasionally tourists who are staying in Agatti, come to take a stroll on the resort property and go back and the guests staying there return to their tranquility, with no outside noises but just the humming of

Budget 2024: Sitharaman bats for developing iconic tourist destinations

The finance minister announced that long-term interest-free loans will be provided to states for financing the development of iconic tourist centres

National Tourism Day 2024: History, importance, theme and quotes of the day

National Tourism Day is celebrated to enhance awareness among the worldwide community on the significance of tourism. India offers many types of tourism like cultural, natural, and others

MakeMyTrip logs highest-ever quarterly gross bookings at $2.08 billion

The online travel services platform delivered its highest-ever quarterly gross bookings during Q3 FY24

US eyes more Indian tourists in coming yrs, number expected to rise to 2mn

The NTTO expects visitors from India to go up to 2 million by 2027