Page 7 - Tourism

Rahul joins Wayanad bypoll campaign, vows to make it global tourism hub

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the last day of the bypoll campaign for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on Monday and promised to elevate Wayanad to the ranks of world's premier tourism destination. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is the UDF candidate contesting in the bypoll. "As a challenge, I will help her (Priyanka Gandhi) to make Wayanad the best tourism destination in the world," Rahul said, while addressing a gathering followed by a roadshow along with Priyanka from the Assumption Junction to Chungam Junction in Sultan Bathery here. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said the people of Wayanad taught him that the word love has a great place in politics. "I did not use that word, but the people of Wayanad taught me that the word has a great place in politics," he added. The Congress leader also stated that love and affection are the only weapons to combat hatred and anger. A huge crowd gathered on both sides of the road

New India-Bhutan ICP at Land Port Darranga to be inaugurated to boost ties

The inauguration ceremony will be graced by the presence of Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam and Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan

S Africa launches scheme to woo tourists from India, China to boost jobs

South Africa has launched an innovative new scheme to increase tourism, especially from India and China, inviting tour operators from those two countries to join their local counterparts in signing up to the scheme. Two months after Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, conceptualised the concept, his Department on Tuesday announced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which is aimed at enhancing job creation that flows from increased tourism. This followed discussion with the tourism ministry and the tourism sector in the country to find ways of eliminating visa inefficiency and red tape which had throttled South Africa's ability to attract more tourists from these two burgeoning source markets. To resolve bottlenecks and reposition Home Affairs as an economic enabler, the Department has today gazetted a call for expression of interest by established tour operators from South Africa and abroad who wish to sign up to the scheme to bring more tourists from China and India

Air connectivity policy to boost tourism, economic development in Rajasthan

The Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) also recently raised this demand with the state's Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari

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

South Africa plans to ease visa rules for from India, China tourists

Travelers from many Western nations including the US and UK don't need visas for short visits to South Africa. Tourists from India and China require authorization before they travel

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

Organised luggage makers' revenue growth may fall 8-10% in FY25: CRISIL

Revenue growth of the organised luggage industry is likely to decline 8-10 per cent year-on-year this fiscal, driven by a high base as industry size almost doubled between 2021-22 and 2023-24, a report said on Monday. Demand is expected to remain stable, backed by continued penetration of hard luggage, steady tourism and corporate travel, it added. The organised luggage industry's revenue growth is expected to fall to 8-10 per cent in FY25 from 18 per cent seen during the last fiscal, primarily due to a high base, as industry size almost doubled between FY22 and FY24, Crisil Ratings said in a statement. The realisations have reduced due to two factors -- increasing competition among manufacturers, with the entry of new players and growth in inventory levels due to moderation in volume growth, which has led to aggressive pricing and impacted average selling prices, mainly in the economy segment. With falling realisations, operating margin dipped 150 basis points (bps) in 2023-24 and

Indigenous tourism to contribute $67 bn to global economy by 2034: WTTC

Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute USD 67 billion to the global economy by 2034, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). 'Supporting Global Indigenous Tourism,' a report released by the world tourism body at its recent Global Summit at Perth in Western Australia showcases the role of indigenous tourism in driving economic growth, particularly in remote regions, and its vital contribution for cultural preservation and community empowerment. Speaking at the summit, Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO said, Indigenous tourism is not only about showcasing rich cultural traditions; it is about empowering communities, creating sustainable jobs, and ensuring that Indigenous people are in control of their own stories and economic futures. This report demonstrates the immense potential of indigenous tourism to drive economic growth, particularly in remote regions, while preserving invaluable cultural heritage. As global demand for authentic experiences ...

Karnataka hosts Maldives Prez Muizzu, aims to foster ties in IT, tourism

The Chief Minister highlighted Karnataka's reputation as the Silicon Valley of India, asserting, "We are known as the Silicon Valley of India and have developed an ecosystem for start-ups, AI"

PM to lay foundation stones of projects worth Rs 7,600 cr in Maharashtra

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the upgradation of Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur today

ADB grants $162 mn loan for new infra, tourism boost in Himachal Pradesh

The Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Development Project targets the promotion of heritage and cultural sites in the Mandi and Hamirpur districts

Jaipur emerges as MICE tourism hotspot, driven by JLF and Jewellery Show

In the last decade, many big national and international events have been organised in the state capital

5-year Cruise Bharat Mission launched: Govt eyes 1 mn sea cruise passengers

The mission includes setting up of a dedicated fund, easing of cabotage regulations and financial incentives

Tripura govt inks Rs 692 cr MoU to boost tourism through ropeway projects

Chief Minister highlighted that the tourism industry is one of the key sectors driving economic growth in the country and the state

World Tourism Day 2024: Over 100 best wishes, messages and quotes to share

The world celebrates World Tourism Day every year on September 27 to spread awareness about social, economic and environmental benefits of travelling

NFR expands network, introduces new initiatives to promote tourism

One of the key initiatives adopted by NFR towards promoting tourism is the introduction of tourist trains with Vistadome coaches

We expect over 12,000 Indian tourists in 2024: Israel Ministry of Tourism

Israel expects more than 12,000 Indian visitors, mainly in the pilgrim and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segments, in 2024, according to a senior executive at the Israel Ministry of Tourism. The war-torn West Asian country has recorded 6,800 travellers from India till August this year. "Irrespective of the current scenario we are very positive. We're just waiting for the situation to calm down even more than what it used to be for us to see growth. We have welcomed 6,800 travellers, mostly pilgrims and business, from India and 6,72,400 globally in the January-August 2024 period, which was very organic," Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) India Director of Marketing Amruta Bangera told PTI. Israel's Tourism Ministry expects to double the 6,800 tourist footfalls to over 12,000 in 2024, from India that it received in the first eight months of this year, she said. Among Asian peers, India contributes the second-highest number of tourist footfalls in Israel af

Statsguru: Tourism industry shows recovery but challenges remain

The tourism sector is facing a year-on-year decline in the share of jobs created

Saudi Arabia achieves 73% increase in international tourist arrivals

The Kingdom achieved a 56 per cent growth in the number of international tourists in 2023 compared to 2019, with the number of tourists reaching 27.4 million