Page 18 - Tourism

Tourism in Rajasthan tiger reserves to be closed on every Wed from July 1

Tourism activities in all four tiger reserves in Rajasthan will remain closed every Wednesday from July 1, officials said. The one-day week-off was announced on the basis of an order by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Arindam Tomar said. "It will be implemented in all the four tiger reserves of the state from July 1," Tomar said. He also said that tourists who had made any advanced bookings in any of the tiger reserves for any Wednesday after July 1 will be given a refund. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (Sawai Madhopur), Sariska Tiger Reserve (Alwar), Mukundra Tiger Reserve (Kota) and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (Bundi) are the four tiger reserves in the state.

G20: Side events on cruise tourism, circular economy of plastics in Goa

Promoting cruise tourism as a "model for sustainable and responsible travel" will be one of the focus areas among the side events at the two crucial G20 meetings on tourism next week in Goa, officials said on Wednesday. The fourth G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting and the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting are to be held in Goa from June 19-22. Interacting with reporters here, Union Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi said while India's G20 Presidency is only for a year, a "dashboard" is also being developed through which good practices and case studies on sustainable tourism by participating countries will be shared. "It will be a dynamic dashboard which will serve as a learning platform for various countries, and these case studies will continue to be uploaded on it for the next three years," she said. The official reiterated that there will be two key deliverables after the Goa meet. "At the end of our working group meeting and the ministerial meeting, we are going to declare a G

Kerala to woo women tourists with app detailing tailored packages

As more and more women are travelling solo and in groups of their own, Kerala Tourism has decided to launch a mobile application listing women-friendly tourism packages, women tourist operators and guides, as well as suitable amenities, to make the visit to the state more pleasant and hassle-free for women travellers. The State Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission), the nodal agency for implementing the 'Women-Friendly Tourism' project, has been asked to prepare the content of the app, which will have all location-specific information and images including the socio-cultural features of various places of Kerala, the tourism department said on Tuesday. In a release, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said creating a "conducive ambience for women tourists" in the state is a policy priority of the government. "We are living in a world where it has become a trend for women to travel to far off places in groups of their own or individually... The app on women-friendly tourism project .

G-20 summit will spur growth in India's tourism sector: EAM S Jaishankar

The G-20 summit is about "getting India ready for he world and the world ready for India," External Affairs Minister and BJP leader S Jaishankar said on Friday claiming the international event will spur tourism growth of the country. Jaishankar made the remark while addressing students at a Delhi University's Aryabhatta College as part of a BJP outreach campaign underway to highlight the nine years' achievement of the Narendra Modi government. He said benefits of hosting the summit will accrue to the country in the next 5-10 years. "This India which we are getting ready for the world is very important for all of you because this India that we are getting ready for the world is your India," he said. "Whatever we are doing right now regarding G-20 is in a way India laying foundation for what Modiji has called Amrit Kal, the next 25 years before us and those are your years. "Our job is to lay the foundation and it is our hope that you will build on that foundation to realise the drea

What is visa shopping and here's why one should avoid this practice

With a limited supply of appointments, tourists applying for Schengen visas are often tempted to apply for countries wherever appointments are available

Touts spoil tourist areas, action must be taken against them: Goa minister

To discourage their activities, the Goa Police have decided to create a 'database' of the arrested touts to take further action against them

Odisha govt wants to boost tourism with launch of direct Int'l flights

With the launch of direct flights connecting Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore under the Viability Gap Funding scheme, the Odisha government is hopeful of doubling its foreign tourist arrivals in the state by 2025 from its pre-pandemic levels, a tourism official said on Monday. A "Viability Gap Funding" (VGF) is a government grant provided to airlines to bridge the gap between the cost of operations and expected revenues. "The target is to double the foreign tourist arrivals by 2025 to 2.5 lakh from the pre-Covid peak of 1.2 lakh witnessed in 2019," Sachin Jadhav, Director of Tourism Odisha, said. The Odisha government has allocated Rs 660 crore in its budget for the current financial year for the tourism sector. With the launch of direct flights with these three cities, we expect a surge in international tourists taking onward flights to Odisha, Jadhav said during the Odisha Tourism Roadshow here. We have shown a more proactive approach in starting direct flights to ...

G20 Leaders' Summit 2023: The world knocks on a door more than ajar

A rich, many-faceted dialogue is underway in India as part of the G20 meetings, and diplomats hope for a successful summit, never mind the alarm bells

Sri Lankan tourism revenue sees significant increase in month of May

Sri Lanka's estimated tourism revenue in May saw a remarkable growth of over 200 per cent year-on-year, reaching $131.5 million, according to the latest data from the country's central bank

IndiGo's audacity? Media platform founder complains about high ticket costs

Chaturvedi took to Twitter and shared her disappointment after she had to pay Rs 21,000 for a one-way ticket from New Delhi to Ahmedabad

India deservedly claiming its position on world tourism stage: Chhatwal

Indian travel and tourism is at an important inflection point and the country is deservedly claiming its position on the world tourism stage with its presidency of the G20 providing the perfect platform, according to Indian Hotels Company Ltd Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal. In his address to shareholders in the company's annual report for 2022-23, Chhatwal said India is on a growth path and the services sector including the travel and tourism business is emerging as a major growth engine for the Indian economy, having successfully put the pandemic behind. "People are once again flying in great numbers, airports are crowded, hotels are well booked, and travellers want to explore, connect and feel alive through the exhilarating emotion of travel," he wrote. Chhatwal said India is deservedly claiming its position on the world tourism stage. "With India's Presidency of the G20, we are positioned like never before to showcase our nation's cultural heritage, our unique and ...

CM Sukhu announces zoological park worth Rs 300 cr in Kangra district

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a slew of development projects, including the setting up of a zoological park in Bankhandi area in Kangra district. Addressing a gathering at Haripur in Dehra assembly constituency, Sukhu said the park is estimated to cost Rs 300 crore, and will provide employment opportunities to 5,000 local youths. The project will be completed in three years, he said. The Chief Minister also said Rs 70 crore have been earmarked to promote adventure tourism at Pong Lake. The introduction of hot air balloon activities and the construction of a floating hotel have also been planned, he said. In a bid to create employment opportunities, the state government will also provide financial assistance to local youth to help them buy 'shikaras', Sukhu said. The Chief Minister also announced the operation of five new bus routes in the area and the construction of an indoor stadium with a swimming pool in the Dehra assembly ...

ITDC registers highest-ever turnover of Rs 458.08 cr, up 58% on-year

India Tourism Development Corporation on Thursday said it has registered the highest-ever financial performance with a total turnover of Rs 458.08 crore in 2022-23. This represents an increase of over 58 per cent compared to the previous fiscal, a statement from the Mini Ratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Tourism said. Its profit before tax (PBT) for FY2022-23 jumped 983 per cent year-on-year to Rs 86.12 crore, while PAT stood at Rs 60.33 crore against Rs 4.38 crore a year ago. "These astounding growth figures demonstrate a historic moment for us, as we celebrate the highest-ever turnover and profit by surpassing all previous records and accomplishing notable milestones, particularly a huge rebound after the negative impact of COVID-19," its Director (Commercial & Marketing) Piyush Tiwari said. "We have achieved the highest consolidated turnover ever recorded for a full year, along with an unprecedented profit before tax. This incredible performance showcases ...

G20 tourism track meet in Srinagar successful: Korean ambassador to India

The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting here was a success, South Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok said on Wednesday, adding that Kashmir is a wonderful place with kind people. The Korean ambassador said Seoul strongly supported India's presidency and expressed hope that New Delhi will make the G20 meetings successful. He told PTI, "The G20 meeting (in Kashmir) was successful." Jae-bok and other delegates to the working group meeting also visited the refurbished Polo View Market in the Residency Road area here. He said Kashmir is a wonderful place and the people are very kind. "It is a wonderful place, the people here are very kind. I hope more people come here to discover the beauty and diversity of India," he added. The Korean ambassador further said, "India is becoming a global power. Right now, India is the fifth biggest economy and it will become the third biggest economy very soon. We hope that India and Korea will continue to have good relations," he said. YN Brugge

Govt committed to boost tourism, infrastructure development: Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari further announced plans for the Sky Bus service, connecting Dhaula Kuan in Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana, which will alleviate traffic congestion for the commuters

States need to have formal policies for promotion of film tourism: Reddy

Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said states and Union Territories need to have formal policies for promotion of film tourism. Reddy was addressing a side event on "Promoting Incredible India through Film Tourism" during the third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting here. "Tourism has the greatest ability to generate overall employment, especially among the vulnerable communities," Reddy said. He added that film production can have a lasting impact on travel destinations as cinematic exposure transforms a place into a tourist location The minister impressed upon the states and the Union Territories to have formal polices for the promotion of film tourism. Where there is an existing policy, it can be strengthened to pave the way for film production. Addressing the event, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said India has no dearth of talent with a century-old film legacy boasting the likes of Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray, who have been acknowledged for their art. Singh expre

Keen to work with G20 to promote sustainable tourism in India: Reddy

G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said that the Tourism Ministry is keen to work with G20 nations to promote sustainable tourism in India and around the world

Govt chalking out comprehensive strategy for tourism in Kashmir: Reddy

Film tourism has emerged as a powerful medium to promote the tourism industry and the government is chalking out a comprehensive strategy for its growth in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday. He said tourism helps in creating employment opportunities in hospitality and gastronomy. "We are chalking out a comprehensive strategy for tourism growth. Film tourism has emerged as a powerful medium to promote tourism, to promote a destination, Reddy, the Minister for Culture and Tourism, said. He was addressing the delegates from the G20 countries on the side event 'Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation' at SKICC here. The event is a part of the three-day third Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20 countries being held here. The minister said Srinagar is India's of one of the most beautiful cities. "I would like to highlight the beauty and cultural heritage of the host destination. Srinagar is India's one of the oldest cities," he added. Redd

Overseas travel ban lifted on Lanka's ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa

A Sri Lankan court here on Wednesday ordered the lifting of the overseas travel ban on former president and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Fort Magistrate's Court imposed a ban on overseas travel on Rajapaksa, 77, and over a dozen other politicians in May last year in view of investigations against them for their alleged involvement in the deadly attack on peaceful anti-government protesters in Colombo. At least nine people were killed and over 300 others injured in the violence in May. The overseas travel ban on former president Rajapaksa, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and ex-Provincial Council member Kanchana Jayaratne was completely lifted by the Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, newsfirst.lk website reported. Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the court registrar to immediately convey the order to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. The impounded passports were ordered to be released to the four politician

Tulip Garden at Jammu and Kashmir's Sanasar records over 53,000 visitors

The Tulip Garden was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on April 8