Page 5 - Tourism Sector

SC grants 8 weeks to Manipur govt to respond to plea against ILP in state

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted eight weeks to the Manipur government to respond to a plea challenging the system of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state. Manipur is the fourth state after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where the ILP regime is applicable. To visit ILP-regime states, outsiders, including people from other states of the country, need permission. A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti gave time to Manipur after the counsel for the state government sought time. The top court on January 3, 2022 had issued notices to the Centre and the Manipur government and others on a plea filed by an organisation called 'Amra Bangalee'. The plea contended that the ILP provides unrestrained power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous people or those who are not permanent residents of Manipur. "The draconian ILP system is fundamentally opposed to the policies of social integration, development and technological advancement in the area beyo

Middle income, affordable housing book is growing fast: TFCI MD & CFO

Bali discussed the huge opportunities in hotel financing in the tier 2 and tier 3 cities

Medical tourism revenue takes a hit after govt stops visas for Bangladeshis

According to a recent CareEdge Ratings report, Bangladesh accounts for around 50-60 per cent of India's total medical tourism inflow

Rajasthan's tourism industry seeks a dedicated board in new policy

The state government recently presented a draft of the new tourism policy and invited suggestions from the industry. Almost all stakeholders have given their inputs

Man claims foreigners 'avoiding' Goa; state responds with police complaint

The Goa tourism department has lodged a police complaint, alleging that entrepreneur Ramanuj Mukherjee 'disseminated false data' to 'undermine' Goa's image

Karnataka eyes Rs 1,500 cr investments in state with new tourism policy

The Karnataka cabinet on Monday cleared the new tourism policy for the state, with the government eyeing investments to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore in the sector. Karnataka plans to attract 20 lakh foreign tourists a year to be among the top five states in this category, and with respect to domestic footfalls it wants to be among the top three states with a target of 48 crore local tourists, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters after the Cabinet meeting. "The cabinet after detailed discussion has given its nod to announce the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024-29 and to release subsidies, grants under the policy," Patil said. He further said the new tourism policy wants to promote tourism in the state under themes -- adventure, agriculture, caravan, coastal, beach, cuisine, cultural, traditional, environment, education, film, golf, sports, tribal, wedding destination, health tourism among others. "... apartment, hotel, service apartments, aquarium, beach shacks

Germany expects 10% rise in Indian tourist arrivals in 2025: GNTB

Germany is eyeing a 10 per cent increase in the Indian tourist influx into the European nation next year, an official said on Tuesday. The German National Tourism Board (GNTB) expects the Indian tourists to clock one million (10 lakh) overnight stays in Germany this year itself. "I am quite hopeful that we will reach 1 million overnight stays this year (by Indian tourists) and an additional 1 lakh nights next year so an additional 10 per cent (in 2025)," Petra Hedorfer, CEO of GNTB, said. According to estimates, about 1.75 lakh Indian tourists visited Germany from January to July this year, spending about 5,23,076 overnight stays in the country. The number of Indian tourists who visited Germany in 2023 stood at over 2.32 lakh. "We are expecting a 10 per cent-plus for next year from your market," she said when asked about the likely influx of Indian tourists in 2025. The flow of travellers from India to Germany has been growing steadily for many years. Post-pandemic, Indian tourist

Travel tip: Use prepaid forex card when abroad, avoid currency fluctuations

Avoid dynamic currency conversion by paying in the local currency instead of Indian rupees

Jan-Jun FTAs in India at 4.78 mn, B'desh, US top sources: Tourism ministry

Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India from January to June stood at nearly 4.78 million, with Bangladesh and the US being the top two source countries, according to official data issued by the Ministry of Tourism. The data sheet was shared on Friday on the occasion of the World Tourism Day and figures showed that inbound tourism in the country is trailing the pandemic levels. The ministry shared the figures for the month of June as well as for the January-June period. The FTAs in June 2024 were 7,06,045 as compared to 6,48,008 in June 2023 and 7,26,446 in June 2019 registering a growth of nine per cent and a fall of 2.8 per cent with respect to 2023 and 2019 respectively, according to the data. "The FTAs during the period January-June 2024 were 47,78,374 as compared to 43,80,239 in January-June 2023 and 52,96,025 in January-June 2019, registering a growth of 9.1 per cent and minus 9.8 per cent with respect to 2023 and 2019 respectively," it added. According to a data chart on t

World Tourism Day 2024: Date, theme, history, significance and more

Started in 1980 by the UNWTO, World Tourism Day celebrates the global impact of tourism. The day is dedicated to the significance of tourism in promoting cultural exchange and economic growth

Rajasthan's marriage gardens want a pie of big fat wedding market

Apart from havelis, which double up as wedding venues, grand hotels, marriage gardens too have emerged as an attractive option

Bridging the gap: How upskilling initiatives can boost tourism job creation

The tourism industry has immense potential to drive economic growth and generate millions of jobs

Rajasthan must announce tourism policy before investor meet: Industry execs

Investors will know about government facilities and subsidies for investments in tourism

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

Bangladesh crisis hits India's tourism: 90% drop in Bangladeshi visitors

The situation worsened two weeks ago when former PM Sheikh Hasina resigned amid student protests, resulting in temporary flight disruptions and suspension of all visas except those for medical reasons

China's senior tourists could be a silver lining for travel companies

Companies inside and outside of China, and local travel authorities, are starting to tailor their services to the needs specific to this growing cohort

Tourism sector could resolve 50% of India's job challenges: Lemon Tree CMD

The tourism sector has the potential to resolve 50 per cent of the country's employment challenges with the right government support, Lemon Tree Hotels Chairman and Managing Director Patanjali Govind Keswani said on Saturday. Delivering his address at the first National Conclave on India 2047, organised by IIM Calcutta, he said India's tourism sector is on the verge of hitting the inflexion point. Keswani pointed out that several countries have seen that the tourism sector contributes as much as 15-20 per cent to their GDP and account for 25 per cent of employment. Expressing disappointment over the government's approach towards the tourism sector, he said, "In India, tourism contributes only 6.5 per cent to GDP and a similar share in employment. This sector holds enormous potential for creating jobs." "If the government can leverage this opportunity effectively, it could address up to 50 per cent of our employment challenges," he said. Discussing India's current economic landscap

Spending on outbound tourism to rise 11%, reaching $55 bn in 2034: Report

Spending on outbound tourism is expected to grow from USD 18.82 billion in 2024 to USD 55.39 billion in 2034, a report said. The 'Navigating Horizons' report jointly prepared by Nangia NXT and Ficci said packaged tours still dominate the outbound market in India, with a share of 39.20 per cent in 2024, as there is a preference for choosing pre-planned tour packages from travel service providers due to greater convenience and customisation. The report said that availability of Indian or vegetarian food options as well as awareness about niche tourism will help increase the number and frequency of Indians engaging in foreign travel in the coming years. The market has already seen robust growth with rising disposable incomes, an expanding middle class, systemic ease and flexibility in obtaining visas, and a desire for international experiences. "Countries like Egypt, Azerbaijan and Georgia, among others, known for their rich history, cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique ...

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

AI, sports, health tourism hub to come up on Hyderabad outskirts: T'gana CM

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said a 'fourth city', after Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Cyberabad here, would come up at Mucharla on the city outskirts with an AI and health tourism hub, sports, and others being developed there on a grand scale. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during a debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2024, he said the 'fourth city' would be the 'future city'. "After Hyderabad, Secunderabad city, Cyberabad city, we are going to establish a 'fourth city' at Mucharla," he said. While Hyderabad and Secunderabad are known as twin cities, the IT hub at Gachibowli in the Telangana capital is known as Cyberabad. The proposed 'fourth city' would be promoted as an attractive investment destination in the world, he said. It would also be connected by metro rail. The new 'city' would be a hub of medical treatment, skill development, international cricket tournaments, golf club and employment avenues, he said. The plans include developing a health