Tourism

J&K CM urges south Indian filmmakers to promote state's natural beauty

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stressed the importance of using south Indian cinema to promote the natural beauty of Jammu and Kashmir as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism in the region. The chief minister also expressed a desire to engage more with filmmakers from the south Indian industry, which he believes has been overlooked so far. "The places we should be focusing on where the money is there, the budgets are big are actually the south Indian film industry. That, for reasons of arrogance or ignorance, we have consciously ignored up until now. So they are the ones with movie budgets of Rs 300-400 crore," Abdullah told PTI during a recent interview. The chief minister observed the tourism sector would benefit greatly if films depicted the scenic beauty of Jammu and Kashmir, as he highlighted the historical connection with Bollywood that, he said, had played an important role in establishing the valley as a favourite honeymoon destination for generations of Indians. T

Ayodhya overtakes Taj Mahal, becomes UP's top tourist destination in 2024

Ram temple in Ayodhya attracted 135.5 million domestic visitors, overtaking the Taj Mahal as Uttar Pradesh's most visited spot in 2024

Hotel rates hit all-time high in 2024, driven by domestic tourism, weddings

In all, India's metro cities remain the strongest hotel markets, and the strong rate growth experienced last year was largely driven by these markets

Investment summit, events keep hotel industry happily busy in Rajasthan

There are more than 2,500 big and small hotels in Jaipur

India’s year-end travel trends 2024: Luxe stays, solo escapes & top picks

How Mauritius is promoting top golf courses to attract high-end visitors

Tourism is Mauritius' main source of foreign currency. The sector was upended by Covid-19 lockdowns and travel bans, and visitor numbers are only expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year

Mahakumbh success vital for Brand Uttar Pradesh, $1 trillion economy goal

The successful management of the Mahakumbh will also help Adityanath earn national and international recognition as an efficient administrator

'Chai and samosas': US hotels welcome Indian tourist boom to revive revenue

Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the U.S. in the first ten months of 2024, a nearly 48% rise from 2019, according to data from the U.S. National Trade and Tourism Office (NTTO)

Surging global tourism emissions are driven by just 20 countries: Study

The study draws together multiple datasets, including those published directly by 175 governments over 11 years

25% discount on GMVN hotels for tourists in winter season, says CM Dhami

The Chief Minister directed the officials to promote the winter tourist destinations and other hidden destinations in the state

Hilton to expand footprint in India amid boom in leisure travel demand

Hotel operators have been building diverse property portfolios in India, investing heavily in midsize properties that cater to price-conscious, middle-income consumers

Govt asks investors to invest in Andaman & Nicobar's fishery sector

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Thursday urged investors to turn to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which has the potential to emerge as a hub for fisheries exports. Inaugurating an investors' meet here, the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister stressed on creating modern fishing infrastructure to utilise the untapped resources in the Union Territory, an official statement said. Calling upon investors to seize the opportunities in the region, the minister said the Centre is also working to strengthen trade with Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, he outlined efforts to promote deep-sea fishing and develop post-harvest processing facilities to help achieve the export target of Rs 1 lakh crore. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a prime opportunity for fisheries development, with about six lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly tuna and tuna-like high-valued species, estimated at 60,000 tonnes. I

Thailand set to reap $2 bn Rainbow Tourism boon with same-sex marriage law

The same-sex law that's slated to take effect in January will also create 152,000 full-time equivalent jobs and will help lift the nation's gross domestic product by 0.3 per cent

Rising Rajasthan summit to lay foundation of developed state: CM Bhajanlal

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit' to be held in Jaipur will lay the foundation for the developed Rajasthan of the future. He instructed officials to ensure that the preparations are finalised to make this conference, to be held from December 9 to 11, a success. According to an official statement, Sharma was reviewing the preparations for organising the conference at the chief minister's residence. He said with the investment agreements to be signed in this summit, Rajasthan will establish new dimensions of development in various sectors, including renewable energy, mining, tourism and automobile, and will be established as a major centre of investment across the world. During the meeting, the chief minister specially reviewed the various events to be held on December 9 and 10. Sharma discussed the preparations for the sessions based on various sectors including renewable energy, health, mining, water and manufacturing to be held o

J&K CM Abdullah calls for sustainable, high value tourism policy in state

Recognising the role of tourism as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir's economy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called for a more sustainable and visitor-focused approach in the UTs tourism sector. He highlighted the importance of shifting tourism efforts from high volume to high value, emphasising quality over quantity. Abdullah was speaking at a high-level meeting which was convened to review the functioning of the Tourism Department at civil secretariat here, an official spokesperson said. Asking the department to chart the way forward for a more sustainable and visitor-focused approach, the chief minister highlighted the potential of tourism to create substantial employment opportunities for youth. There is a need to treat tourism as a structured, long-term endeavour, rather than an ad-hoc activity, by adopting a tourist-centric perspective. We need to enhance the tourist experience, so visitors are more likely to revisit and recommend J&K as a destination, he said. The

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